Chef and Head Cook Salary in Philadelphia, PA
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area earn a median $65,680 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $52,938 take-home, or $4,411 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chef and head cook salary in Philadelphia, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,702
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,072
- Medicare (1.45%)$952
- Pennsylvania income tax$2,016
- Take-home pay$52,938
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.07% state
Living in Philadelphia? City residents also pay Philadelphia’s Resident Wage Tax — about $2,456 a year on this salary — which lowers take-home pay to $50,481 ($4,207 a month). Choose “Philadelphia” under City income tax in the calculator. Suburban residents usually don’t pay it.
The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro spans Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland. 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 Philadelphia, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,440 | $20.88 | $35,750 | $2,979 |
| 25th percentile | $55,830 | $26.84 | $45,325 | $3,777 |
| Median (50th) | $65,680 | $31.58 | $52,938 | $4,411 |
| 75th percentile | $88,140 | $42.38 | $68,131 | $5,678 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,060 | $50.03 | $78,842 | $6,570 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $65,680 buys in Philadelphia, PA
Prices in Philadelphia, PA are 2.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.13× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chef and head cook's $52,938 take-home pay has the buying power of $51,619 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Philadelphia, PA has 1.5× 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
Philadelphia, PA ranks #7 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make in Philadelphia, PA?
The median chef and head cook salary in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area is $65,680 a year, or about $31.58 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $55,830 and $88,140.
What is a chef and head cook’s take-home pay in Philadelphia, PA?
On the median $65,680 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $52,938 a year ($4,411 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,016 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Philadelphia, PA a good place to work as a chef and head cook?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $62,470. Local prices are 2.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $51,619 would in a typical U.S. city. Philadelphia, PA ranks #7 of 18 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chef and head cook afford rent in Philadelphia, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Philadelphia, PA is $1,520 a month ($1,810 for two bedrooms) — 34% of a median chef and head cook’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $46,580
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $38,870
- Cooks, Restaurant — $38,270
- Waiter and Waitress — $36,570
- Bartender — $36,040
- Food Preparation Worker — $34,560
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $33,300
- Dishwasher — $33,270
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $32,220
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $32,220
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $32,220
- Cooks, Fast Food — $32,220