Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn a median of $59,080 a year ($28.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,940 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 8% lower than the Connecticut statewide median of $64,310. There are 1.7 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| 25th percentile | $49,750 | $23.92 |
| Median | $59,080 | $28.41 |
| 75th percentile | $74,950 | $36.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,940 | $44.69 |
| Average (mean) | $65,270 | $31.38 |
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 | $4,923.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,461.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,272.31 |
| Weekly | $1,136.15 |
| Hourly | $28.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,080 salary, see how much house you can afford in Connecticut 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $66,930 | 760 |
| New Haven, CT | $66,700 | 460 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $62,820 | 1,110 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $62,220 | 330 |
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 Connecticut statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $51,220 | $24.63 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,850 | $16.76 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,890 | $17.74 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Bartender | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Dishwasher | $34,470 | $16.57 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,780 | $16.72 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,180 | $16.44 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $38,140 | $18.34 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,780 | $21.53 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
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 Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area is $59,080 a year, or $28.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn at least $92,940 a year. The top 25% earn $74,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,250 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $49,750 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
About 270 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area, not counting the self-employed.