Chef and Head Cook Salary in Worcester, MA
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Worcester, MA metro area earn a median $64,620 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $51,091 take-home, or $4,258 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chef and head cook salary in Worcester, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,574
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,006
- Medicare (1.45%)$937
- Massachusetts income tax$3,011
- Take-home pay$51,091
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
Chef and Head Cook pay by experience in Worcester, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,560 | $21.90 | $36,729 | $3,061 |
| 25th percentile | $49,490 | $23.79 | $39,691 | $3,308 |
| Median (50th) | $64,620 | $31.07 | $51,091 | $4,258 |
| 75th percentile | $77,020 | $37.03 | $59,383 | $4,949 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,840 | $44.15 | $69,067 | $5,756 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $64,620 buys in Worcester, MA
Prices in Worcester, MA are 2.5% 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 $51,091 take-home pay has the buying power of $49,834 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Worcester, MA has 1.2× 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
Worcester, MA ranks #39 of 74 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albany, NY | $84,430 | $64,264 | $64,544 |
| 2 | Providence, RI | $79,340 | $62,287 | $61,202 |
| 3 | Nashville, TN | $70,420 | $58,370 | $60,589 |
| 4 | Buffalo, NY | $74,290 | $57,678 | $60,179 |
| 5 | Atlantic City, NJ | $75,740 | $59,476 | $60,164 |
| 6 | Memphis, TN | $66,230 | $55,396 | $60,096 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $80,330 | $65,342 | $58,796 |
| 8 | Atlanta, GA | $74,660 | $58,101 | $58,068 |
| 39 | Worcester, MA | $64,620 | $51,091 | $49,834 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 74 metros →
Chef and Head Cook salaries elsewhere in Massachusetts
- Boston, MA — $72,470
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make in Worcester, MA?
The median chef and head cook salary in the Worcester, MA metro area is $64,620 a year, or about $31.07 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $49,490 and $77,020.
What is a chef and head cook’s take-home pay in Worcester, MA?
On the median $64,620 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $51,091 a year ($4,258 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,011 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Worcester, MA a good place to work as a chef and head cook?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $62,470. Local prices are 2.5% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $49,834 would in a typical U.S. city. Worcester, MA ranks #39 of 74 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chef and head cook afford rent in Worcester, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Worcester, MA is $1,558 a month ($1,997 for two bedrooms) — 37% of a median chef and head cook’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Worcester, MA
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $46,780
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,500
- Cooks, Restaurant — $44,250
- Waiter and Waitress — $36,840
- Dishwasher — $36,660
- Food Preparation Worker — $36,550
- Bartender — $35,950
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $35,870
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $35,790
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $34,610
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $33,620