Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area earn a median of $60,030 a year ($28.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 900 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,420 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 2% higher than the Utah statewide median of $59,060. There are 1.1 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $59,170, close to the median.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,940 | $13.43 |
| 25th percentile | $42,530 | $20.45 |
| Median | $60,030 | $28.86 |
| 75th percentile | $77,900 | $37.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,420 | $38.18 |
| Average (mean) | $59,170 | $28.45 |
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 | $5,002.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,501.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,308.85 |
| Weekly | $1,154.42 |
| Hourly | $28.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,030 salary, see how much house you can afford in Utah 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $57,540 | 230 |
| Ogden, UT | $54,260 | 170 |
| Logan, UT-ID | $51,220 | 40 |
| St. George, UT | $46,610 | 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 Utah statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,860 | $18.69 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,070 | $13.98 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $32,320 | $15.54 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,370 | $16.04 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,700 | $17.65 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,620 | $14.24 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,670 | $12.82 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $39,870 | $19.17 |
| Bartender | $29,790 | $14.32 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,160 | $16.42 |
| Dishwasher | $34,480 | $16.58 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,710 | $15.25 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $39,040 | $18.77 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $39,570 | $19.03 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
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 Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area is $60,030 a year, or $28.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area earn at least $79,420 a year. The top 25% earn $77,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,940 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $42,530 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
About 900 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area, not counting the self-employed.