Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area earn a median of $60,750 a year ($29.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,470 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 5% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $63,860. There are 1.8 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $64,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,060 | $16.37 |
| 25th percentile | $44,210 | $21.26 |
| Median | $60,750 | $29.21 |
| 75th percentile | $81,990 | $39.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,470 | $49.27 |
| Average (mean) | $64,410 | $30.97 |
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 | $5,062.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,531.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,336.54 |
| Weekly | $1,168.27 |
| Hourly | $29.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,750 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 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $59,950 | 50 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $59,690 | 400 |
| 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 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,830 | $18.67 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,520 | $13.23 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,770 | $14.31 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,870 | $16.76 |
| Bartender | $28,010 | $13.47 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,320 | $16.98 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,210 | $14.05 |
| Dishwasher | $28,100 | $13.51 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,720 | $13.33 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,130 | $13.52 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,600 | $14.71 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,840 | $13.39 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $28,290 | $13.60 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, 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 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area is $60,750 a year, or $29.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area earn at least $102,470 a year. The top 25% earn $81,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,060 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $44,210 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
About 450 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.