Careers · Chefs and Head Cooks · California

Chefs and Head Cooks in California

Chefs and head cooks direct food preparation in kitchens, seasoning and cooking salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, and other dishes. They work in restaurants, hotels, catering companies, and institutional food services In California the median pay is $64,500 a year, 3% above the national median of $62,470.

$64,500median pay in California, per year

$46,320–$81,040middle half earn

31,670employed in California

$62,470U.S. median, for comparison

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Who is hiring in California

272open roles like this on employer career sites, 20 in California or remote

22employers hiring

110posted in the last 7 days

NY · FL · WAwhere most openings are

Openings in California and remote

MWR Chef (Supervisor) · Commander, Navy Installations Command · San Diego, California · $62645–$62645

Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.

What it takes

Preparation: Medium preparation (vocational training, an associate degree, or related experience). Most hold an associate degree.

Skills that matter most

CoordinationMonitoringSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessTime ManagementManagement of Personnel ResourcesCritical ThinkingService Orientation

Knowledge areas

Food ProductionProduction and ProcessingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesAdministration and ManagementMathematics (knowledge)

Full profile, interests that fit, certifications and training: Chefs and Head Cooks.

Licenses and training in California

Local training programs Certifications Licenses in your state Apprenticeships

Chefs and Head Cooks pay in other states

Rhode Island · $79,930 Hawaii · $77,360 District of Columbia · $76,420 Washington · $76,010 North Dakota · $74,740 New Jersey · $74,280 Wyoming · $73,170 South Carolina · $71,860 New York · $70,670 Tennessee · $69,810

Related occupations

First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers Cooks, Fast Food Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Cooks, Private Household Cooks, Restaurant Cooks, Short Order Cooks, All Other Food Preparation Workers

Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against chefs and head cooks and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.

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O*NET-SOC 35-1011.00. Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, California, annual.