Chef Salary in Roanoke, VA — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Roanoke's cost of living (index: 88). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Chef Salary in Roanoke — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Roanoke
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 Roanoke
Roanoke has a metro population of 320,000, offering a growing job market with opportunities especially in established local industries. The 3.6% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for Roanoke
Other Professions in Roanoke
Chef Salary — Other Virginia Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Chef make in Roanoke, VA?
The estimated median salary for a Chef in Roanoke is $51,850 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $58,920 adjusted by Roanoke's cost of living index (88). The typical salary range runs from $37,708 (25th percentile) to $70,910 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $93,034.
Is Roanoke affordable for a Chef?
On a $51,850 annual salary, a Chef in Roanoke would spend approximately 22.0% of gross monthly income on median rent ($950/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Roanoke relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $215,000 is 4.1× the annual salary.
How does a Chef's salary compare to Roanoke's overall income?
Roanoke's median household income is $55,800. A Chef earning the city-adjusted median of $51,850 earns 7.1% less than the typical Roanoke household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that Roanoke 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.