How does a Chef's salary in Baltimore compare to the rest of Maryland?

Baltimore's cost of living index is 107 vs. the national average of 100, so salaries are adjusted upward accordingly. A Chef earning the city-adjusted median of $63,044 earns $7,956 less than the median household income in Baltimore ($71,000).

Chef Salary in Baltimore, MD — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Baltimore's cost of living (index: 107). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Chef Salary in Baltimore — Key Numbers

$63,044

Median Salary

$45,850

25th Percentile

$86,221

75th Percentile

$113,120

90th Percentile

National median (Chef)$58,920

vs. National median+7.0%

Baltimore median household income$71,000

vs. City household income-11.2%

Cost of Living in Baltimore

Cost of Living Index

107(100 = avg)

Median Monthly Rent$1,300/mo

Rent-to-Income Ratio24.7%

Annual rent cost$15,600

Median Home Price$320,000

Home Price / Salary5.1×

20% Down Payment$64,000

Years to save (20% rate)5.1 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Baltimore

4.4%

Unemployment Rate

2,890,000

Metro Population

32 min

Avg Commute

37.5

Median Age

Baltimore has a metro population of 2,890,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 4.4% unemployment rate is near the national average.

Financial Calculators for Baltimore

💰

Take-Home Pay Calculator

See your net pay on $63,044/yr

⏱️

Salary to Hourly

Convert $63,044/yr to hourly rate

🏙️

Cost of Living — Baltimore

Compare Baltimore to other cities

🏠

Rent vs. Buy in Baltimore

Is buying worth it on your salary?

📊

Budget Planner

Plan your budget in Baltimore

🗺️

Chef Salary in Maryland

Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Baltimore

Physician$245,351 Chief Executive Officer$224,700 Dentist$187,796 IT Manager$181,376 Marketing Manager$168,653 Lawyer$155,963

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Chef make in Baltimore, MD?

The estimated median salary for a Chef in Baltimore is $63,044 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $58,920 adjusted by Baltimore's cost of living index (107). The typical salary range runs from $45,850 (25th percentile) to $86,221 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $113,120.

Is Baltimore affordable for a Chef?

On a $63,044 annual salary, a Chef in Baltimore would spend approximately 24.7% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,300/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Baltimore relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $320,000 is 5.1× the annual salary.

How does a Chef's salary compare to Baltimore's overall income?

Baltimore's median household income is $71,000. A Chef earning the city-adjusted median of $63,044 earns 11.2% less than the typical Baltimore household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that Baltimore has a particularly high median household income due to high-earning industries.

Explore More Salary Data

Chef — National Chef in Maryland All Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.