Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Hawaii
Chefs and Head Cooks in Hawaii earn a median of $77,360 a year ($37.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,000 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $62,470. Hawaii ranks 2nd of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 2.0 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $80,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Hawaii
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,970 | $23.54 |
| 25th percentile | $54,530 | $26.22 |
| Median | $77,360 | $37.19 |
| 75th percentile | $98,640 | $47.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,000 | $56.73 |
| Average (mean) | $80,720 | $38.81 |
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 | $6,446.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,223.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,975.38 |
| Weekly | $1,487.69 |
| Hourly | $37.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,360 salary, see how much house you can afford in Hawaii at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in cities in Hawaii
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $84,990 | 250 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $74,380 | 740 |
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 |
Related jobs in Hawaii
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,250 | $16.95 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $62,390 | $29.99 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,420 | $21.84 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Dishwasher | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $51,200 | $24.62 |
| Bartender | $76,490 | $36.78 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $47,070 | $22.63 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $43,110 | $20.73 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $43,540 | $20.93 |
| Cooks, All Other | $39,870 | $19.17 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Hawaii
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 Hawaii?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in Hawaii is $77,360 a year, or $37.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Hawaii?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in Hawaii earn at least $118,000 a year. The top 25% earn $98,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Hawaii?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,970 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $54,530 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Hawaii?
About 1,240 chefs and head cooks are employed in Hawaii, not counting the self-employed.