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
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 →
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