Chef and Head Cook Salary in Orlando, FL
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL metro area earn a median $61,390 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $51,507 take-home, or $4,292 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chef and head cook salary in Orlando, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,187
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,806
- Medicare (1.45%)$890
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$51,507
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Chef and Head Cook pay by experience in Orlando, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,690 | $15.72 | $28,446 | $2,371 |
| 25th percentile | $46,700 | $22.45 | $39,703 | $3,309 |
| Median (50th) | $61,390 | $29.51 | $51,507 | $4,292 |
| 75th percentile | $79,140 | $38.05 | $64,505 | $5,375 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,410 | $49.24 | $80,875 | $6,740 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $61,390 buys in Orlando, FL
Prices in Orlando, FL are 1.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.23× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chef and head cook's $51,507 take-home pay has the buying power of $50,787 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Orlando, FL has 1.3× the national concentration of chef and head cook jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for chefs and head cooks, adjusted for cost of living
Orlando, FL ranks #8 of 18 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $80,330 | $65,342 | $58,796 |
| 2 | Atlanta, GA | $74,660 | $58,101 | $58,068 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $74,900 | $58,100 | $53,360 |
| 4 | Las Vegas, NV | $62,380 | $52,302 | $52,190 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $72,470 | $56,409 | $52,102 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $64,100 | $53,684 | $52,075 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $65,680 | $52,938 | $51,619 |
| 8 | Orlando, FL | $61,390 | $51,507 | $50,787 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 18 metros →
About the job: chefs and head cooks
Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.6% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Chef and Head Cook salaries elsewhere in Florida
- Miami, FL — $57,940
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make in Orlando, FL?
The median chef and head cook salary in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL metro area is $61,390 a year, or about $29.51 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,700 and $79,140.
What is a chef and head cook’s take-home pay in Orlando, FL?
On the median $61,390 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $51,507 a year ($4,292 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Orlando, FL a good place to work as a chef and head cook?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $62,470. Local prices are 1.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $50,787 would in a typical U.S. city. Orlando, FL ranks #8 of 18 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chef and head cook afford rent in Orlando, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Orlando, FL is $1,731 a month ($1,972 for two bedrooms) — 40% of a median chef and head cook’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Orlando, FL
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $43,070
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,970
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $36,970
- Food Preparation Worker — $35,600
- Waiter and Waitress — $35,410
- Bartender — $33,650
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $33,500
- Dishwasher — $32,220
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $32,170
- Cooks, Fast Food — $29,940
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $29,640
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,620