Chef Salary in Virginia (2026)
$30.42 per hour · take-home ≈ $50,140/year ($4,178/month) for a single filer
Virginia ranks 21st of 51 states for Chef pay, with a median right at the national average. Of the 3,600 Chef jobs BLS counts in Virginia, the typical worker earns $63,270 a year — though pay ranges from $43,010 for newcomers to $90,470 at the top.
Chef pay range in Virginia
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $43,010 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $50,170 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $63,270 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $77,270 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $90,470 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 3,600 Chef jobs in Virginia (occupation code 35-1011, “Chefs and Head Cooks”).
Gross vs. take-home in Virginia
A median Chef salary of $63,270 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Virginia state income tax, a single filer keeps about $50,140 — an effective tax rate of 20.8%.
| Gross (median) | $63,270 |
| Federal income tax | −$5,412 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,840 |
| Virginia state income tax | −$2,877 |
| Take-home (annual) | $50,140 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $4,178 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Virginia paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chef make in Virginia?
- The median Chef salary in Virginia is $63,270 per year ($30.42 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $50,170 and $77,270.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chef in Virginia?
- On the median salary of $63,270, a single filer in Virginia takes home about $50,140 per year ($4,178 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 20.8%.
- How many Chef jobs are there in Virginia?
- BLS counts 3,600 Chef jobs in Virginia in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chefs
Other salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia 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 Virginia.