State comparison · 2025
Chefs and Head Cooks salary: Hawaii vs South Dakota
Chefs and Head Cooks in Hawaii earn a median of $77,360. In South Dakota, $48,470. After cost-of-living, the gap is 28.6% — not 59.6%.
Nominal pay gap
+59.6%
Hawaii vs South Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+28.6%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
Hawaii
Chefs and Head Cooks
- Median
- $77,360
- p25
- $54,530
- p75
- $98,640
- p10
- $48,970
- p90
- $118,000
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.0
South Dakota
Chefs and Head Cooks
- Median
- $48,470
- p25
- $39,650
- p75
- $51,870
- p10
- $37,450
- p90
- $57,820
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 88.6
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.