Chef Salary in Delaware (2026)
$29.54 per hour · take-home ≈ $48,704/year ($4,059/month) for a single filer
Delaware ranks 27th of 51 states for Chef pay, with a median about 3% below the national average. Of the 590 Chef jobs BLS counts in Delaware, the typical worker earns $61,440 a year — though pay ranges from $49,920 for newcomers to $84,680 at the top.
Chef pay range in Delaware
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $49,920 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $56,160 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $61,440 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $76,310 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $84,680 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 590 Chef jobs in Delaware (occupation code 35-1011, “Chefs and Head Cooks”).
Gross vs. take-home in Delaware
A median Chef salary of $61,440 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Delaware state income tax, a single filer keeps about $48,704 — an effective tax rate of 20.7%.
| Gross (median) | $61,440 |
| Federal income tax | −$5,193 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,700 |
| Delaware state income tax | −$2,843 |
| Take-home (annual) | $48,704 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $4,059 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Delaware paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chef make in Delaware?
- The median Chef salary in Delaware is $61,440 per year ($29.54 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $56,160 and $76,310.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chef in Delaware?
- On the median salary of $61,440, a single filer in Delaware takes home about $48,704 per year ($4,059 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 20.7%.
- How many Chef jobs are there in Delaware?
- BLS counts 590 Chef jobs in Delaware in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chefs
Other salaries in Delaware
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Delaware state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Delaware.