Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn a median of $59,690 a year ($28.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,570 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 7% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $63,860. There are 1.2 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,020 | $16.84 |
| 25th percentile | $43,430 | $20.88 |
| Median | $59,690 | $28.70 |
| 75th percentile | $75,570 | $36.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,570 | $43.06 |
| Average (mean) | $61,760 | $29.69 |
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 | $4,974.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,487.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,295.77 |
| Weekly | $1,147.88 |
| Hourly | $28.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,690 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Reading, PA | $66,980 | 210 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $66,320 | 1,340 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $65,680 | 5,700 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $63,220 | 570 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $60,750 | 450 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $59,950 | 50 |
| State College, PA | $58,560 | 120 |
| Lancaster, PA | $58,040 | 280 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $56,860 | 160 |
| Johnstown, PA | $56,440 | 70 |
| Lebanon, PA | $52,870 | 70 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $52,000 | 50 |
| Erie, PA | $51,340 | 150 |
| Altoona, PA | $49,040 | 60 |
| Williamsport, PA | $47,840 | 80 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,950 | $19.21 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,070 | $13.50 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $34,260 | $16.47 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,520 | $17.56 |
| Bartender | $27,520 | $13.23 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,880 | $17.73 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,340 | $14.10 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,370 | $15.08 |
| Dishwasher | $29,700 | $14.28 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,640 | $13.77 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,380 | $16.05 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,070 | $13.02 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $28,970 | $13.93 |
| Cooks, All Other | $32,910 | $15.82 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
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 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area is $59,690 a year, or $28.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn at least $89,570 a year. The top 25% earn $75,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,020 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $43,430 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
About 400 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.