Chef and Head Cook Salary in New York, NY
Chefs and Head Cooks in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area earn a median $71,780 a year — 15% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $56,048 take-home, or $4,671 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chef and head cook salary in New York, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,962
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,450
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,041
- New York income tax$3,279
- Take-home pay$56,048
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.40% state
Living in New York City? City residents also pay New York City’s city income tax — about $2,347 a year on this salary — which lowers take-home pay to $53,701 ($4,475 a month). Choose “New York City” under City income tax in the calculator. Suburban residents usually don’t pay it.
The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro spans New York, New Jersey. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Chef and Head Cook pay by experience in New York, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,530 | $22.37 | $37,651 | $3,138 |
| 25th percentile | $55,070 | $26.48 | $44,052 | $3,671 |
| Median (50th) | $71,780 | $34.51 | $56,048 | $4,671 |
| 75th percentile | $89,860 | $43.20 | $67,785 | $5,649 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,370 | $57.87 | $87,449 | $7,287 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $71,780 buys in New York, NY
Prices in New York, NY are 12.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.49× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chef and head cook's $56,048 take-home pay has the buying power of $49,793 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
New York, NY has 1.6× 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
New York, NY ranks #9 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 |
| 9 | New York, NY | $71,780 | $56,048 | $49,793 |
*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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make in New York, NY?
The median chef and head cook salary in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area is $71,780 a year, or about $34.51 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $55,070 and $89,860.
What is a chef and head cook’s take-home pay in New York, NY?
On the median $71,780 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $56,048 a year ($4,671 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,279 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is New York, NY a good place to work as a chef and head cook?
Pay here is 15% above the national median of $62,470. Local prices are 12.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $49,793 would in a typical U.S. city. New York, NY ranks #9 of 18 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chef and head cook afford rent in New York, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in New York, NY is $2,378 a month ($2,697 for two bedrooms) — 51% of a median chef and head cook’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in New York, NY
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- Waiter and Waitress — $47,610
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $46,870
- Cooks, Restaurant — $43,740
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $39,120
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $36,980
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $36,500
- Cooks, Fast Food — $35,780
- Food Preparation Worker — $35,670
- Dishwasher — $35,670
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $35,420