Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Fairbanks-College, AK
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area earn a median of $55,130 a year ($26.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,360 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 6% higher than the Alaska statewide median of $52,190. There are 2.4 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $55,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Fairbanks-College, AK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,220 | $15.49 |
| 25th percentile | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| Median | $55,130 | $26.50 |
| 75th percentile | $69,890 | $33.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,360 | $37.19 |
| Average (mean) | $55,690 | $26.78 |
Half of chefs and head cooks earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,594.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,297.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,120.38 |
| Weekly | $1,060.19 |
| Hourly | $26.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $55,130 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alaska at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | $49,190 | 280 |
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 |
| New York | $70,670 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 |
See Chefs and Head Cooks pay in every state or the Alaska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fairbanks-College, AK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,730 | $21.99 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,170 | $14.51 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,530 | $12.75 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,530 | $16.60 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $37,010 | $17.80 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $40,150 | $19.30 |
| Bartender | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $49,340 | $23.72 |
| Dishwasher | $32,900 | $15.82 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,740 | $13.34 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,020 | $14.91 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Fairbanks-College, AK
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chefs and head cooks make in Fairbanks-College, AK?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area is $55,130 a year, or $26.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Fairbanks-College, AK?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area earn at least $77,360 a year. The top 25% earn $69,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Fairbanks-College, AK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,220 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $40,140 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Fairbanks-College, AK?
About 90 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area, not counting the self-employed.