Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Maine

Chefs and head cooks in Maine earn the most in Lewiston (average $62,390 a year) and the least in Bangor ($58,790), across the 3 Maine metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the chefs and head cooks average at $61,540 and the median at $57,010 for 1,250 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $66,700.

Chefs and Head Cooks average salary by city in Maine

Lewiston$62,390
Portland$61,950
Bangor$58,790

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Lewiston	$62,390	$56,440	$51,770	$49,777	95
Portland	$61,950	$57,380	$55,900	$49,453	102
Bangor	$58,790	$54,990	$50,270	$47,127	97

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; Maine's standard deduction phase-out above $102,250 of income is not modelled. 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 Maine

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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