Chefs and Head Cooks
SOC Code: 35-1011 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Chefs and Head Cooks. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $73,299 | $85,509 | $97,718 | $109,928 |
| Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | $70,138 | $81,266 | $92,414 | $103,542 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $70,262 | $80,538 | $90,813 | $101,088 |
| Morgantown, WV | $41,870 | $60,403 | $78,915 | $97,448 |
| Napa, CA | $56,139 | $69,222 | $82,306 | $95,389 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $45,843 | $61,880 | $77,896 | $93,933 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $57,366 | $69,410 | $81,474 | $93,517 |
| Alexandria, LA | $28,558 | $50,128 | $71,718 | $93,288 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $52,728 | $66,165 | $79,602 | $93,038 |
| Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area | $51,626 | $65,229 | $78,853 | $92,456 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| CR NORTH FREEWAY MANAGEMENT LLC | 4 | $72,000 |
| SHOTO DC LLC | 4 | $63,900 |
| Aspen Skiing Company | 4 | $86,198 |
| Kojin SF, LLC | 4 | $77,500 |
| Rudraaksh LLC | 3 | $67,235 |
| Stone Barns Restoration Corp | 3 | $89,333 |
| Friend Hospitality LLC | 3 | $49,608 |
| Charlie Baggs, Inc. | 3 | $82,003 |
| Food Imagineering USA LLC | 3 | $71,827 |
| Triomphe Restaurant Corp | 3 | $45,289 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 | $60,307 |
| 2021 | 11 | $73,676 |
| 2022 | 8 | $68,231 |
| 2023 | 29 | $65,483 |
| 2024 | 62 | $67,945 |
| 2025 | 92 | $70,366 |
| 2026 | 7 | $78,517 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Coordination | 4.1 | |
| Monitoring | 4.0 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.9 | |
| Time Management | 3.9 | |
| Speaking | 3.9 | |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 3.9 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.8 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.6 | |
| Instructing | 3.6 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Food Production | 4.1 |
| Production and Processing | 4.0 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.9 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 3.7 |
| Administration and Management | 3.7 |
| Mathematics | 3.5 |
| Education and Training | 3.5 |
| English Language | 3.3 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate's degree | 54.2% |
| Some college | 16.7% |
| High school diploma | 12.5% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 8.3% |
| Bachelor's degree | 8.3% |
Typical Tasks
- Check the quality of raw or cooked food products to ensure that standards are met.
- Monitor sanitation practices to ensure that employees follow standards and regulations.
- Check the quantity and quality of received products.
- Order or requisition food or other supplies needed to ensure efficient operation.
- Supervise or coordinate activities of cooks or workers engaged in food preparation.
- Inspect supplies, equipment, or work areas to ensure conformance to established standards.
- Determine how food should be presented and create decorative food displays.
- Instruct cooks or other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, or presentation of food.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
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