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BLSSalary

Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA (2025)

Official BLS OEWS data · May 2025 · 1,280 employed

Annual Mean
$80,150
$38.53/hr
Annual Median
$79,020
$37.99/hr
Bottom 10%
$46,590
$22.40/hr
Top 10%
$117,340
$56.41/hr
Location vs National Average
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$80,150
Difference
+20.2% vs US avg
US National
$66,700

Salary Percentile Breakdown

PercentileAnnual
10th Percentile
Bottom 10%
$46,590
25th Percentile
Lower quarter
$56,390
50th PercentileMedian
Median
$79,020
75th Percentile
Upper quarter
$97,240
90th Percentile
Top 10%
$117,340

Salary Distribution

Annual Salary Range

10th

$47K

25th

$56K

Median

$79K

75th

$97K

90th

$117K

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has a moderate number of Chefs and Head Cooks positions (approximately 1,280), reflecting steady demand in this occupation.

In San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, Chefs and Head Cooks salaries range from $46,590 at the 10th percentile to $117,340 at the 90th percentile — a spread of $70,750 (90% of the median). This wide range suggests significant variation based on experience and employer in this area.

Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Public domain · Not affiliated with BLS.