The median annual wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $66,560 (May 2024 BLS OES). The mean (average) is $71,720.
Pay spans roughly $46,860 at the 10th percentile to $98,680 at the 90th, so experience and specialisation move this figure a lot. At the median that is about $32.00 per hour. An estimated 2,600 people work as chefs and head cooks in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA.
| Median (annual) | $66,560 |
| Mean (annual) | $71,720 |
| Median (hourly) | $32.00 |
| 10th percentile | $46,860 |
| 90th percentile | $98,680 |
| Employment | 2,600 |
Updated 2026-07-23.
Source: BLS OES May 2024 — bls.gov/oes. Checked 2026-07-23.