Chef Salary in Maine (2026)
$27.41 per hour · take-home ≈ $44,963/year ($3,747/month) for a single filer
Maine ranks 40th of 51 states for Chef pay, with a median about 10% below the national average. Of the 1,250 Chef jobs BLS counts in Maine, the typical worker earns $57,010 a year — though pay ranges from $48,430 for newcomers to $81,120 at the top.
Chef pay range in Maine
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $48,430 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $55,070 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $57,010 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $63,060 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $81,120 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 1,250 Chef jobs in Maine (occupation code 35-1011, “Chefs and Head Cooks”).
Gross vs. take-home in Maine
A median Chef salary of $57,010 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Maine state income tax, a single filer keeps about $44,963 — an effective tax rate of 21.1%.
| Gross (median) | $57,010 |
| Federal income tax | −$4,661 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,361 |
| Maine state income tax | −$3,024 |
| Take-home (annual) | $44,963 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,747 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Maine paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chef make in Maine?
- The median Chef salary in Maine is $57,010 per year ($27.41 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $55,070 and $63,060.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chef in Maine?
- On the median salary of $57,010, a single filer in Maine takes home about $44,963 per year ($3,747 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 21.1%.
- How many Chef jobs are there in Maine?
- BLS counts 1,250 Chef jobs in Maine in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chefs
Other salaries in Maine
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 Maine 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 Maine.