The median annual wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Merced, CA is $61,470 (May 2024 BLS OES). The mean (average) is $72,940.
Pay spans roughly $35,100 at the 10th percentile to $123,640 at the 90th, so experience and specialisation move this figure a lot. At the median that is about $29.55 per hour. An estimated 60 people work as chefs and head cooks in Merced, CA.
| Median (annual) | $61,470 |
| Mean (annual) | $72,940 |
| Median (hourly) | $29.55 |
| 10th percentile | $35,100 |
| 90th percentile | $123,640 |
| Employment | 60 |
Updated 2026-07-23.
Source: BLS OES May 2024 — bls.gov/oes. Checked 2026-07-23.