Chef Salary in Wichita, KS — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Wichita's cost of living (index: 84). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Chef Salary in Wichita — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Wichita
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 Wichita
Wichita has a metro population of 650,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 3.6% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for Wichita
Other Professions in Wichita
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Chef make in Wichita, KS?
The estimated median salary for a Chef in Wichita is $49,493 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $58,920 adjusted by Wichita'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 Wichita affordable for a Chef?
On a $49,493 annual salary, a Chef in Wichita would spend approximately 16.9% of gross monthly income on median rent ($695/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Wichita relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $185,000 is 3.7× the annual salary.
How does a Chef's salary compare to Wichita's overall income?
Wichita's median household income is $58,800. A Chef earning the city-adjusted median of $49,493 earns 15.8% less than the typical Wichita household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that Wichita 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.