Chefs and Head Cooks in California. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where California chefs and head cooks fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $46,320 and $81,040, with a median of $64,500.
Chefs and Head Cooks in California: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 30 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $75,000. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 6 | $50,502 |
| Level II — qualified | 8 | $70,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 8 | $80,000 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 8 | $93,038 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Chefs and Head Cooks in California. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amber India Foods Inc | Executive Chef | 2 | $93,038 |
| First Virtual Group, Inc. | Executive Chef | 2 | $81,349 |
| Kojin SF, LLC | Chef de Cuisine | 2 | $80,000 |
| Yokai SF LLC | Chef de Cuisine | 2 | $65,500 |
| 3rd Street Collaborative LLC | Sous Chef | 1 | $70,000 |
| Alexander's Steakhouse, Inc. | Chef de Partie | 1 | $50,045 |
| Amber India Corporation | Indian Cuisine Specialty Chef | 1 | $80,000 |
| Benaka Gourmet LLC | Executive Chef | 1 | $71,000 |
| Benu LLC | Sous Chef | 1 | $68,640 |
| C-L Partners (Benu LLC) | Chef de Cuisine | 1 | $110,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Chef de Cuisine at The Progress Provisions LLC$90,000San FranciscoWage Level IIIDecided Feb 5, 2026I-202-26029-602484
- Sous Chef at Charter Oak Restaurant, LLC$75,000St HelenaWage Level IIDecided Dec 10, 2025I-202-25337-455543
- chef de la cuisine at Culinary Enterprises, Inc$77,085CapitolaWage Level IVDecided Nov 6, 2025I-203-25272-343287
- Commis Chef at Restaurant Nisei, LLC$50,960San FranciscoWage Level IDecided Sep 26, 2025I-202-25262-322242
- Executive Chef at Amber India Foods Inc$93,038Los AltosWage Level IVDecided Sep 18, 2025I-200-25254-301438
- Executive Chef at Amber India Foods Inc$93,038Los AltosWage Level IVDecided Sep 16, 2025I-200-25252-295147
- Pastry Chef de Partie at ST F&B Services Co.$70,000HealdsburgWage Level IIDecided Aug 29, 2025I-202-25234-261393
- Sous Chef at Yokai SF LLC$51,000San FranciscoWage Level IDecided Aug 12, 2025I-202-25218-223713
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Chefs and Head Cooks pay by experience level in California
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Chefs and Head Cooks specialties in California
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 19 certified offers. The most common variant is Sous Chef at a median of $70,000.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sous Chef | 3rd Street Collaborative LLC | 7 | $70,000 |
| Chef de Cuisine | C-L Partners (Benu LLC) | 6 | $82,500 |
| Executive Chef | Amber India Foods Inc | 6 | $81,349 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in California over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
High school diploma
Experience
5 years or more
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.7 / 5
Food Production
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Production and Processing
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Administration and Management
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Coordination
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Monitor sanitation practices to ensure that employees follow standards and regulations.
- 02
Check the quality of raw or cooked food products to ensure that standards are met.
- 03
Determine production schedules and staff requirements necessary to ensure timely delivery of services.
- 04
Check the quantity and quality of received products.
- 05
Supervise or coordinate activities of cooks or workers engaged in food preparation.
- 06
Analyze recipes to assign prices to menu items, based on food, labor, and overhead costs.
- 07
Determine how food should be presented and create decorative food displays.
- 08
Instruct cooks or other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, or presentation of food.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+7.1%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in California
Metro-level salary data for chefs and head cooks in major California metropolitan areas.
- San Jose$79,020
- Los Angeles$69,990
- San Francisco$68,970
- Riverside$64,480
- San Diego$60,600
- Sacramento$57,870
Compare Chefs and Head Cooks pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare California with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in California is $64,500.
- How does California compare to the national median for Chefs and Head Cooks?
- The California median is +1.9% versus the BLS national figure of $63,297.
- What is the salary range for Chefs and Head Cooks in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $37,380 and the 90th-percentile at $101,870, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Chefs and Head Cooks a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 7.1% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Chefs and Head Cooks?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as High school diploma. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.