Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median of $50,720 a year ($24.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,630 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 13% lower than the Florida statewide median of $58,240. There are 1.1 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,990 | $16.82 |
| 25th percentile | $42,820 | $20.59 |
| Median | $50,720 | $24.39 |
| 75th percentile | $64,110 | $30.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,630 | $37.81 |
| Average (mean) | $55,900 | $26.87 |
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 | $4,226.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,113.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,950.77 |
| Weekly | $975.38 |
| Hourly | $24.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,720 salary, see how much house you can afford in Florida 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $68,830 | 640 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $61,390 | 2,360 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $60,180 | 880 |
| Wildwood-The Villages, FL | $59,510 | 130 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $58,240 | 1,720 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $57,940 | 8,210 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $56,830 | 380 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $56,220 | 660 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $56,130 | 340 |
| Ocala, FL | $55,540 | 120 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $55,060 | 1,230 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $54,340 | 160 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $53,060 | 220 |
| Sebring, FL | $52,760 | 40 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $52,110 | 330 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $50,220 | 270 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $49,660 | 200 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $48,710 | 280 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $47,540 | 200 |
| Gainesville, FL | $47,380 | 250 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $41,680 | 70 |
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 Florida statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $43,220 | $20.78 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,050 | $13.49 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,270 | $16.96 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,600 | $17.12 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,610 | $16.64 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Bartender | $33,920 | $16.31 |
| Dishwasher | $29,190 | $14.03 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,500 | $13.70 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,670 | $16.19 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,320 | $16.98 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $34,930 | $16.79 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
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 Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $50,720 a year, or $24.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn at least $78,630 a year. The top 25% earn $64,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,990 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $42,820 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
About 280 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area, not counting the self-employed.