Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Lewiston-Auburn, ME
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Lewiston-Auburn, ME metro area earn a median of $56,440 a year ($27.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,730 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 1% lower than the Maine statewide median of $57,010. There are 1.3 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Lewiston-Auburn, ME
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,470 | $23.78 |
| 25th percentile | $51,770 | $24.89 |
| Median | $56,440 | $27.13 |
| 75th percentile | $65,820 | $31.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,730 | $41.22 |
| Average (mean) | $62,390 | $30.00 |
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 | $4,703.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,351.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,170.77 |
| Weekly | $1,085.38 |
| Hourly | $27.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $56,440 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maine 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $57,380 | 780 |
| Bangor, ME | $54,990 | 120 |
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 Maine statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lewiston-Auburn, ME
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,700 | $22.45 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,720 | $16.69 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $43,130 | $20.74 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| Bartender | $45,040 | $21.66 |
| Dishwasher | $34,920 | $16.79 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $43,730 | $21.03 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $35,470 | $17.05 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,190 | $17.40 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,140 | $18.34 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Lewiston-Auburn, ME
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 Lewiston-Auburn, ME?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Lewiston-Auburn, ME metro area is $56,440 a year, or $27.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Lewiston-Auburn, ME?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Lewiston-Auburn, ME metro area earn at least $85,730 a year. The top 25% earn $65,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Lewiston-Auburn, ME?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,470 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $51,770 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Lewiston-Auburn, ME?
About 60 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Lewiston-Auburn, ME metro area, not counting the self-employed.