Cities with the Highest Wages
In the competitive world of the professional chef, salaries can vary significantly based on location. There are specific metropolitan areas around the country that have come to be considered “food centers,” in which restaurants are a significant part of the culture and experience of the area. In these areas, chefs often enjoy substantially higher salaries than they might find in other cities, simply because these areas employ the best chefs in the world and also face high costs of living.
For example, the New York Area of New York state is often one of the highest paying metropolitan areas for most professions because the cost of living in New York City is so astronomically high. The same is true for the culinary arts. However, everyone knows that New York is known for its fantastic restaurants and food, making it a career destination for professional chefs all over the world. In New York, chefs earn an average annual income of $65,620.
In the Vero Beach area of Florida, chefs can expect salaries of $65,410 on average. The Peabody area of Massachusetts is another high paying area for chefs, where they earn an average salary of $59,550. On the west coast in Napa, California, a major food hub, professional chefs earn $58,930 in average annual income. And in New Haven, Connecticut, chefs can expect to earn $58,790 on average.
Professional chefs must keep in mind that high-paying cities often come with a high cost of living, which can affect your lifestyle.
Cities with the Highest Employment Levels
The culinary arts industry can be a difficult one to break into. It’s very competitive and many professionals dream of making a living as a chef. However, many hopefuls set their sights on the top cities for the culinary arts—New York, San Francisco, New Orleans—when there are great restaurants all around the United States in need of dedicated, talented chefs. You may be surprised at to learn where you can find a place for yourself in the restaurant business.
Atlantic City, New Jersey has the highest employment levels for chefs and head cooks of any city in the United States. Needless to say, Jersey boys and girls like great food and variety. In Atlantic City, chefs earn an average annual income of $53,710. Barnstable Town, Massachusetts has the second highest employment level for chefs and they earn an average salary of $49,810 in this metropolitan area.
With the number of restaurants, casinos, and entertainment establishments in this metropolitan area, it’s no surprise that the Las Vegas area of Nevada has the third highest employment level for chefs and head cooks. It takes a lot of man-power to create a five-star, 24-hour buffet. In Las Vegas, chefs earn $45,420 in average annual income.
In Brunswick, Georgia, chefs are in demand and earn an average annual income of $27,390 and in the Naples area of Florida, chefs earn an average annual income of $53,180. While areas with high employment areas might not offer the highest salaries, they do offer great opportunities for a very popular profession.
