Chef Salary in Wisconsin (2026)
$29.47 per hour · take-home ≈ $49,488/year ($4,124/month) for a single filer
Wisconsin ranks 28th of 51 states for Chef pay, with a median about 3% below the national average. Of the 1,860 Chef jobs BLS counts in Wisconsin, the typical worker earns $61,300 a year — though pay ranges from $41,990 for newcomers to $87,570 at the top.
Chef pay range in Wisconsin
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $41,990 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $49,200 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $61,300 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $74,080 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $87,570 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 1,860 Chef jobs in Wisconsin (occupation code 35-1011, “Chefs and Head Cooks”).
Gross vs. take-home in Wisconsin
A median Chef salary of $61,300 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Wisconsin state income tax, a single filer keeps about $49,488 — an effective tax rate of 19.3%.
| Gross (median) | $61,300 |
| Federal income tax | −$5,176 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,689 |
| Wisconsin state income tax | −$1,947 |
| Take-home (annual) | $49,488 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $4,124 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Wisconsin paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chef make in Wisconsin?
- The median Chef salary in Wisconsin is $61,300 per year ($29.47 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $49,200 and $74,080.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chef in Wisconsin?
- On the median salary of $61,300, a single filer in Wisconsin takes home about $49,488 per year ($4,124 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 19.3%.
- How many Chef jobs are there in Wisconsin?
- BLS counts 1,860 Chef jobs in Wisconsin in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chefs
Other salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin.