Chef Salary in Erie, PA — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Erie's cost of living (index: 84). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Chef Salary in Erie — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Erie
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 Erie
Erie has a metro population of 270,000, offering a growing job market with opportunities especially in established local industries. The 5.0% unemployment rate is near the national average.
Financial Calculators for Erie
Other Professions in Erie
Chef Salary — Other Pennsylvania Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Chef make in Erie, PA?
The estimated median salary for a Chef in Erie is $49,493 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $58,920 adjusted by Erie's cost of living index (84). The typical salary range runs from $35,994 (25th percentile) to $67,687 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $88,805.
Is Erie affordable for a Chef?
On a $49,493 annual salary, a Chef in Erie would spend approximately 20.6% of gross monthly income on median rent ($850/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Erie relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $160,000 is 3.2× the annual salary.
How does a Chef's salary compare to Erie's overall income?
Erie's median household income is $51,400. A Chef earning the city-adjusted median of $49,493 earns 3.7% less than the typical Erie household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that Erie has a particularly high median household income due to high-earning industries.
Explore More Salary Data
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.