Chefs and Head Cooks
Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.
- O*NET-SOC code
35-1011.00 - Preparation Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Wages
Median annual wage, U.S.$62,470
Employment, U.S.200,040
Median hourly wage$30.03
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $37,900 | $48,440 | $62,470 | $78,750 | $98,560 |
By state (51)
| State | Employment | Median annual | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1,000 | $62,400 | 0.37 |
| Alaska | 680 | $52,190 | 1.61 |
| Arizona | 4,080 | $59,890 | 0.98 |
| Arkansas | 880 | $46,170 | 0.53 |
| California | 31,670 | $64,500 | 1.35 |
| Colorado | 3,970 | $65,400 | 1.07 |
| Connecticut | 3,080 | $64,310 | 1.41 |
| Delaware | 590 | $61,440 | 0.95 |
| District of Columbia | 2,020 | $76,420 | 2.23 |
| Florida | 19,670 | $58,240 | 1.54 |
| Georgia | 3,680 | $66,230 | 0.58 |
| Hawaii | 1,240 | $77,360 | 1.53 |
| Idaho | 550 | $52,000 | 0.50 |
| Illinois | 8,290 | $58,830 | 1.06 |
| Indiana | 1,940 | $52,190 | 0.47 |
| Iowa | 1,640 | $47,990 | 0.82 |
| Kansas | 860 | $58,390 | 0.46 |
| Kentucky | 1,790 | $48,070 | 0.70 |
| Louisiana | 1,990 | $45,570 | 0.80 |
| Maine | 1,250 | $57,010 | 1.52 |
| Maryland | 3,220 | $61,590 | 0.91 |
| Massachusetts | 6,000 | $69,540 | 1.28 |
| Michigan | 5,360 | $60,070 | 0.95 |
| Minnesota | 1,730 | $62,600 | 0.45 |
| Mississippi | 840 | $54,850 | 0.56 |
| Missouri | 1,750 | $64,480 | 0.46 |
| Montana | 720 | $57,470 | 1.09 |
| Nebraska | 540 | $60,510 | 0.41 |
| Nevada | 3,940 | $62,380 | 1.97 |
| New Hampshire | 1,170 | $63,400 | 1.33 |
| New Jersey | 9,100 | $74,280 | 1.65 |
| New Mexico | 770 | $62,250 | 0.69 |
| New York | 17,430 | $70,670 | 1.40 |
| North Carolina | 4,920 | $61,130 | 0.77 |
| North Dakota | 100 | $74,740 | 0.19 |
| Ohio | 4,000 | $53,990 | 0.56 |
| Oklahoma | 1,430 | $58,540 | 0.65 |
| Oregon | 2,510 | $63,600 | 0.99 |
| Pennsylvania | 9,170 | $63,860 | 1.18 |
| Rhode Island | 740 | $79,930 | 1.15 |
| South Carolina | 2,650 | $71,860 | 0.89 |
| South Dakota | 300 | $48,470 | 0.51 |
| Tennessee | 3,820 | $69,810 | 0.91 |
| Texas | 13,270 | $56,080 | 0.73 |
| Utah | 1,740 | $59,060 | 0.78 |
| Vermont | 610 | $65,440 | 1.56 |
| Virginia | 3,600 | $63,270 | 0.68 |
| Washington | 5,320 | $76,010 | 1.16 |
| West Virginia | 350 | $61,100 | 0.38 |
| Wisconsin | 1,860 | $61,300 | 0.49 |
| Wyoming | 240 | $73,170 | 0.67 |
Similar occupations
Similarity is our measure: the cosine of importance x level over all 120 O*NET skills, knowledge areas and abilities. It is not an O*NET finding. More.
Circles are the 20 most similar occupations, coloured by Job Zone. Lines join pairs where one is among the other's 10 most similar; darker lines are pairs O*NET also lists as related. Drag a circle to move it out of the way; select one to open it.
| # | Occupation | Job Zone | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | 1-2 | 0.978 |
| 2 | Food Service Managers | 1-2 | 0.972 |
| 3 | Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | 1-2 | 0.971 |
| 4 | First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | 3 | 0.960 |
| 5 | First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | 3 | 0.960 |
| 6 | Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | 4 | 0.959 |
| 7 | Industrial Production Managers | 4 | 0.956 |
| 8 | First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers | 1-2 | 0.954 |
| 9 | Facilities Managers | 3 | 0.950 |
| 10 | Dietetic Technicians | 3 | 0.950 |
One skill away
Among the 50 occupations most similar to Chefs and Head Cooks, those at the same Job Zone or lower, where exactly one skill rated at least 3 in importance needs a level more than 0.75 points higher (on O*NET's 0-7 level scale). Our definition. Change the thresholds.
| Occupation | Skill to build | Level gap | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | Operations Monitoring | 0.76 | 0.960 |
| Gambling Managers | Writing | 0.76 | 0.932 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | Writing | 0.88 | 0.931 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | Writing | 0.76 | 0.930 |
Software to learn next
Software used by at least 3 of the 20 occupations most similar to Chefs and Head Cooks, excluding software Chefs and Head Cooks already lists and any you named. Ranked by how many of them use it, weighted by how much more common it is among them than across all occupations (lift). Our ranking.
| Software | Similar jobs using it | Lift |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll software | 6 of 20 | 16.3x |
| Employee scheduling software | 3 of 20 | 17.3x |
| Microsoft Project | 10 of 20 | 2.3x |
| SAP software | 11 of 20 | 1.8x |
| Microsoft Access | 13 of 20 | 1.6x |
| Sage 50 Accounting | 4 of 20 | 4.4x |
| Work scheduling software | 3 of 20 | 5.5x |
| Computerized maintenance management system CMMS | 3 of 20 | 4.6x |
| Yardi software | 3 of 20 | 4.3x |
| Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software | 4 of 20 | 3.0x |
Skills
From O*NET data. Importance is rated 1 to 5 and level 0 to 7.
| Skill | Type | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coordination | Transferable skill | 4.12 | 4.12 |
| Monitoring | Essential skill | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | Transferable skill | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Speaking | Essential skill | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Time Management | Transferable skill | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Social Perceptiveness | Transferable skill | 3.88 | 3.75 |
| Critical Thinking | Essential skill | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Service Orientation | Transferable skill | 3.75 | 3.38 |
| Active Listening | Essential skill | 3.62 | 3.50 |
| Instructing | Transferable skill | 3.62 | 3.50 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Transferable skill | 3.62 | 3.12 |
| Reading Comprehension | Essential skill | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| Active Learning | Essential skill | 3.38 | 3.75 |
| Complex Problem Solving | Transferable skill | 3.25 | 3.50 |
| Management of Material Resources | Transferable skill | 3.25 | 3.38 |
| Learning Strategies | Essential skill | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Quality Control Analysis | Transferable skill | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Negotiation | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.75 |
| Management of Financial Resources | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.25 |
| Writing | Essential skill | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Persuasion | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.62 |
| Systems Evaluation | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Mathematics | Essential skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Systems Analysis | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Operations Monitoring | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.62 |
| Operations Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Operation and Control | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.38 |
| Equipment Selection | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 1.88 |
| Troubleshooting | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 1.75 |
| Equipment Maintenance | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.12 |
| Repairing | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.00 |
| Science | Essential skill | 1.75 | 1.00 |
| Technology Design | Transferable skill | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Programming | Transferable skill | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Installation | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
Knowledge (33) and abilities (52)
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Food Production | 4.12 | 4.25 |
| Production and Processing | 4.04 | 4.54 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.92 | 4.50 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 3.74 | 4.25 |
| Administration and Management | 3.67 | 4.17 |
| Mathematics | 3.54 | 3.96 |
| Education and Training | 3.50 | 4.54 |
| English Language | 3.33 | 3.29 |
| Economics and Accounting | 3.21 | 3.08 |
| Administrative | 3.13 | 4.08 |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.88 | 3.21 |
| Computers and Electronics | 2.83 | 3.67 |
| Psychology | 2.79 | 3.58 |
| Sales and Marketing | 2.74 | 3.33 |
| Chemistry | 2.71 | 3.38 |
| Law and Government | 2.52 | 2.42 |
| Communications and Media | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| Biology | 2.42 | 2.25 |
| Mechanical | 2.38 | 2.62 |
| Foreign Language | 2.38 | 2.29 |
| Design | 2.25 | 2.54 |
| Therapy and Counseling | 2.17 | 2.58 |
| Engineering and Technology | 2.12 | 2.46 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 2.08 | 2.42 |
| Transportation | 2.08 | 2.08 |
| Building and Construction | 2.00 | 1.96 |
| Physics | 1.92 | 1.58 |
| Geography | 1.88 | 2.25 |
| Telecommunications | 1.88 | 1.42 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 1.70 | 1.22 |
| Philosophy and Theology | 1.67 | 1.58 |
| History and Archeology | 1.65 | 1.50 |
| Fine Arts | 1.62 | 1.21 |
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Problem Sensitivity | 4.12 | 4.12 |
| Oral Expression | 4.12 | 4.00 |
| Oral Comprehension | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Information Ordering | 4.00 | 3.75 |
| Deductive Reasoning | 3.88 | 4.12 |
| Speech Clarity | 3.88 | 3.62 |
| Near Vision | 3.75 | 3.50 |
| Inductive Reasoning | 3.75 | 3.38 |
| Speech Recognition | 3.75 | 3.38 |
| Written Comprehension | 3.50 | 3.25 |
| Originality | 3.38 | 3.88 |
| Selective Attention | 3.38 | 3.25 |
| Fluency of Ideas | 3.25 | 3.75 |
| Category Flexibility | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Time Sharing | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Visualization | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Written Expression | 3.12 | 3.38 |
| Manual Dexterity | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Finger Dexterity | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Number Facility | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Trunk Strength | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Perceptual Speed | 3.00 | 3.25 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Extent Flexibility | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Memorization | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Far Vision | 3.00 | 2.62 |
| Flexibility of Closure | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Multilimb Coordination | 2.75 | 2.25 |
| Control Precision | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Auditory Attention | 2.50 | 2.50 |
| Wrist-Finger Speed | 2.38 | 2.62 |
| Dynamic Strength | 2.38 | 2.25 |
| Stamina | 2.38 | 2.12 |
| Speed of Closure | 2.25 | 2.25 |
| Reaction Time | 2.12 | 2.38 |
| Static Strength | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Depth Perception | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Response Orientation | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Gross Body Coordination | 2.00 | 1.88 |
| Speed of Limb Movement | 2.00 | 1.75 |
| Rate Control | 2.00 | 1.62 |
| Gross Body Equilibrium | 2.00 | 1.50 |
| Glare Sensitivity | 1.88 | 0.88 |
| Explosive Strength | 1.75 | 0.88 |
| Peripheral Vision | 1.75 | 0.88 |
| Sound Localization | 1.75 | 0.75 |
| Spatial Orientation | 1.75 | 0.75 |
| Dynamic Flexibility | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Night Vision | 1.50 | 0.62 |
Software used
Examples from O*NET data. "Hot" and "in demand" are O*NET flags for technologies often listed in job postings.
- Microsoft Excel in demand
- Microsoft Office software in demand
- Microsoft Outlook in demand
- Facebook hot
- Google Sheets hot
- Microsoft PowerPoint hot
- Microsoft Word hot
- ADP eTIME
- Axxya Systems Nutritionist Pro
- Barrington Software CookenPro Commercial
- CostGuard
- Culinary Software Services ChefTec
- Delphi Technology
- EGS CALCMENU
- Email software
- Enggist & Grandjean EGS F&B Control
- GNOME Gnutrition
- GroupMe
- IPro Restaurant Inventory, Recipe & Menu Software
- Menu planning software
- Nutrition analysis software
- ReServe Interactive
- Sage MAS 90 ERP
- SoftCafe MenuPro
Where it concentrates
Metro areas ranked by BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of the area's jobs divided by its share of all US jobs. Above 1 means more concentrated than the nation. Metros employing fewer than 100 are left out.
| Metro area | Employment | Location quotient | Median annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 900 | 4.15 | $75,740 |
| Napa, CA | 300 | 3.01 | $78,960 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | 640 | 2.85 | $68,830 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | 200 | 2.65 | $49,660 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | 250 | 2.63 | $84,990 |
| Pittsfield, MA | 180 | 2.44 | $61,580 |
| Wildwood-The Villages, FL | 130 | 2.42 | $59,510 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 3,430 | 2.35 | $62,380 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 380 | 2.34 | $56,830 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | 240 | 2.27 | $73,690 |