Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in New Jersey

Chefs and head cooks in New Jersey earn the most in Atlantic City (average $75,460 a year) and the least in Vineland ($70,560), across the 3 New Jersey metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the chefs and head cooks average at $72,930 and the median at $74,280 for 9,100 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $66,700.

Chefs and Head Cooks average salary by city in New Jersey

Atlantic City$75,460
Trenton$70,640
Vineland$70,560

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Atlantic City	$75,460	$75,740	$62,300	$59,295	99
Trenton	$70,640	$70,210	$49,420	$56,170	103
Vineland	$70,560	$75,050	$45,970	$56,118	96

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; New Jersey's employee unemployment, disability and family-leave contributions are not included. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other states

Chefs and Head Cooks salary by city and state

More about pay in New Jersey

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-1011.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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