Chef/Head Cook in Lewisville, TX

As a career analyst who knows Lewisville’s kitchens from the outside in, I’ve put together this guide for chefs and head cooks considering a move. We’re looking at the raw numbers, the local job market, and the day-to-day reality of making a life here. No fluff, just facts.

The Salary Picture: Where Lewisville Stands

Let’s start with the most critical data. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local market analysis, the median salary for a Chef or Head Cook in the Lewisville area is $60,947 per year. That breaks down to a solid $29.30 per hour. This figure sits slightly above the national average of $60,350, which is a good sign for the local market. However, it’s crucial to understand that this is a median—meaning half of the chefs here make more, and half make less. Your earning potential will hinge heavily on experience, the type of establishment, and your leadership skills.

The job market itself is competitive but stable. There are approximately 267 jobs for chefs and head cooks in the greater metro area. The 10-year job growth is projected at 5%, which is steady but not explosive. This means you won’t see a hiring frenzy, but opportunities for skilled, reliable leaders are always present. Lewisville’s dining scene is dotted with everything from independent bistros in Old Town to high-volume kitchens in sports bars and corporate cafeterias serving the nearby corporate parks.

Experience-Level Earnings Breakdown

To give you a clearer picture, here’s how salaries typically scale with experience in this region:

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Typical Kitchen Role
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$45,000 - $52,000	Line Cook, Sous Chef (smaller volume)
Mid-Level (3-7 years)	$55,000 - $68,000	Sous Chef, Kitchen Manager, Head Cook (casual dining)
Senior-Level (8-15 years)	$69,000 - $85,000	Head Chef (independent restaurant), Executive Sous Chef (hotel)
Expert (15+ years)	$86,000+	Executive Chef (fine dining, major hotel, country club)

How Lewisville Compares to Other Texas Cities

Lewisville’s salary is respectable, but Dallas-Fort Worth is a massive metro with varied cost-of-living zones. It’s useful to see how we stack up.

Metro Area	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index	Key Takeaway
Lewisville	$60,947	103.3	Solid pay, slightly above COL. Good balance.
Dallas	$61,200	102.9	Marginally higher pay, similar cost. More competition.
Fort Worth	$59,800	101.5	Slightly lower pay, lower cost. More traditional scene.
Austin	$62,500	110.3	Higher pay, but significantly higher COL.
Houston	$60,100	96.5	Similar pay, lower cost, but vast sprawl.

Insider Tip: While Dallas and Austin offer marginally higher median salaries, the cost of living in those cities can eat into that gain. Lewisville’s position as a suburb gives you access to the Dallas job market (a 30-45 minute commute) without the downtown Dallas rent.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A $60,947 salary looks good on paper, but let’s break down your monthly take-home.

Assumptions:

• Gross Monthly Income: $5,079 ($60,947 / 12)
• Estimated Taxes (25%): -$1,270 (This includes federal, FICA, and state taxes. Texas has no state income tax, which is a major benefit.)
• Net Monthly Income: ~$3,809

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

• Rent (1BR Average): -$1,291
• Utilities (Est.): -$150
• Groceries: -$400
• Car Payment/Insurance: -$500 (Lewisville is car-dependent)
• Gas/Transport: -$120
• Miscellaneous (Health, Leisure, Savings): -$1,348

Can you afford to buy a home?
With a net monthly income of $3,809 and a rent of $1,291, your housing cost is about 34% of your take-home pay. This leaves room for savings, but buying a home in Lewisville requires careful planning. The median home price in Lewisville hovers around $350,000-$375,000. With a 20% down payment ($70,000-$75,000), a 30-year mortgage at current rates would leave you with a monthly payment (mortgage, tax, insurance) of approximately $2,100, which would be over 55% of your net income. This is not advisable. The path to homeownership here for a single-earner chef involves aggressive saving, dual incomes, or starting with a more affordable condo or townhouse.

Where the Jobs Are: Lewisville's Major Employers

The hiring landscape is a mix of hospitality, corporate dining, and education. Here are the key players:

1. The Lewisville Hotel (Courtyard by Marriott / Hilton Garden Inn): Hotels in this area (near the Medical City Lewisville campus and I-35) have steady banquet and restaurant kitchens. They value consistency and experience in volume. Hiring trends favor candidates with hotel certification and strong management skills.

2. Medical City Lewisville: The hospital’s food and nutrition services department is a major employer. They hire for management positions in patient services, cafeteria operations, and catering. These are stable, 9-5 type kitchen jobs with great benefits—a prime option for chefs seeking work-life balance.

3. Lewisville Independent School District (Lewisville ISD): LISD is a massive district. They employ Executive Chefs and Kitchen Managers to oversee cafeteria operations across dozens of schools. It’s a different pace—planning, budgeting, and managing large-scale production. Hiring is competitive and often requires food service management experience.

4. Texas Live! (Arlington): While not in Lewisville, this entertainment complex is a 15-minute drive and a huge employer. It features multiple restaurant concepts (like Guy Fieri’s Taco Joint and Miller Lite House) under one roof. It’s a high-volume, event-driven environment that’s constantly hiring for leads and managers.

5. Local Independent Restaurants & Breweries: Lewisville’s Old Town Square and the Lake Lewisville area host a growing scene. Places like Mellow Mushroom, Babe’s Chicken, and local breweries like False Idol Fermentary are community anchors. They hire based on personality and fit. Hiring is often informal—stopping by during off-hours is a classic insider move.

6. Corporate Cafeterias (Apple Campus, Frito-Lay in Plano): The larger DFW corporate campuses are a 20-30 minute commute. Companies like Apple (Plano) and Frito-Lay (Plano) have elite culinary teams for their employee cafeterias. These are highly coveted, well-paying jobs that are posted on corporate career sites, not general job boards.

Getting Licensed in TX

Texas does not have a state-level food handler’s license, but it does mandate certification.

• Food Handler Certificate: Required for ALL food employees. You must complete an accredited course (online or in-person) and pass an exam. Cost is $10-$20. Certifications are valid for 2 years. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) oversees this.
• Food Manager Certification: Required for at least one employee per location. As a Head Cook or Chef, you’ll need this. It’s a more in-depth exam. Cost is $100-$150 for the course and exam. Valid for 5 years. This is often reimbursed by employers.
• Alcohol Permit (TABC Certification): If you oversee a bar or serve alcohol, you’ll need this. It’s a simple online course and exam, costing about $10-$15.

Timeline: You can get your Food Handler cert online in a day. The Food Manager cert requires study and scheduling an exam, so plan for 1-2 weeks. There’s no lengthy state licensing board process for chefs—your experience and certifications are your credentials.

Best Neighborhoods for Chef/Head Cooks

Where you live affects your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Here’s a local’s breakdown:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	1BR Rent Estimate	Best For
Old Town Lewisville	Walkable, historic, charming. Close to local restaurants and bars. Commute to Dallas: 35-45 mins.	$1,350 - $1,550	Chefs who want to be in the heart of the local scene and avoid highways.
Castle Hills	Master-planned, safe, family-oriented. Newer apartments. Commute to Dallas: 35-45 mins.	$1,400 - $1,600	Those seeking a quiet, suburban life with easy access to parks and amenities.
Lewisville Lake Area (West Side)	More residential, quieter. Longer commute but access to lake life. Commute: 40-50 mins.	$1,200 - $1,400	Budget-conscious chefs who prioritize space and don’t mind a drive.
The Colony (East Side)	Younger, vibrant, with major shopping (Grandscape). Commute to Dallas: 25-35 mins.	$1,300 - $1,500	Social chefs who want easy access to big-box stores and entertainment.
Carrollton (South)	Dense, diverse, with great food diversity. Commute: 20-30 mins.	$1,250 - $1,450	For those prioritizing commute time and a wide variety of food options.

Insider Tip: If you work in a hotel or at Medical City, living north of I-35 in Castle Hills cuts your commute significantly. For jobs in Old Town, living nearby allows you to walk to work sometimes—a rare luxury in the DFW metro.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Advancement in this area isn’t just about cooking; it’s about business acumen.

• Specialty Premiums: Chefs with expertise in volume catering (for weddings, corporate events at venues like The Lewisville Event Center) or dietary-specific management (vegan, gluten-free for hospital/healthcare) can command a 10-15% salary premium.
• Advancement Paths: The classic path is Sous Chef → Head Cook → Executive Chef. However, in Lewisville, a savvy move is transitioning from a restaurant to a corporate or institutional setting (like LISD or a hospital). These roles often come with better benefits, predictable hours, and a focus on management over 80-hour weeks.
• 10-Year Outlook: With 5% growth, the market is stable. The biggest opportunity isn’t in new restaurants opening en masse, but in replacing retiring chefs and upgrading operations in established venues. Your best bet for long-term growth is to specialize in management, food costing, and staff training. Consider pursuing a ServSafe Alcohol or Allergen certification to stand out.

The Verdict: Is Lewisville Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Above-average salary for a lower cost of living vs. central Dallas.	Car-dependent city; public transport is limited.
No state income tax boosts your take-home pay.	Competition is steady, but not as many high-end, fine-dining roles as in Dallas.
Diverse job market (hotels, healthcare, schools, independent).	Rent and home prices are rising, narrowing the affordability gap.
Central location to the entire DFW metro for job-hunting.	The city is sprawling; your lifestyle will be defined by your chosen neighborhood.
Strong community feel in areas like Old Town and the Lake.	5% job growth means you must be proactive and network to find the best roles.

Final Recommendation: Lewisville is an excellent strategic choice for a Chef/Head Cook who values a balanced lifestyle, a strong paycheck that goes further, and access to a wide variety of kitchen environments without the intense pressure of downtown Dallas. It’s ideal for mid-career professionals looking to buy a home in the future (with a partner or dual income) or for those seeking stability in healthcare, education, or hotel management. If you’re a young chef hungry for the absolute highest-end fine dining experience, you might start here but look for your first big break in Dallas proper.

FAQs

Q: What’s the real cost of living difference between Lewisville and downtown Dallas?
A: While the Cost of Living Index shows them close (103.3 vs. 102.9), the devil is in the details. Downtown Dallas rent for a 1BR averages $1,600+, and parking is often an extra $150-$200/month. In Lewisville, you get more space for your money and often included parking. Your commute cost (gas, tolls) will be higher from Lewisville, but your housing savings likely offset it.

Q: Are most chef jobs in Lewisville posted on Indeed, or is it a hidden job market?
A: It’s a mix. Corporate jobs (hotels, hospitals, LISD) are on official career sites. However, the best independent restaurant jobs are often found through networking. Insider Tip: Go to the restaurants you admire in Old Town or at the lake on a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon (slow times) and ask to speak with the chef. Bring a resume. Many hires are made this way.

Q: Is it worth getting a Food Manager Certification if I already have one from another state?
A: Yes. Texas requires the specific Texas Food Manager Certification. If you have a ServSafe or similar credential from another state, you may be able to test out without a full course, but you must pass the Texas exam. It’s a one-time cost and is non-negotiable for management roles.

Q: How do the seasons affect kitchen hiring in Lewisville?
A: Yes, there’s a cycle. Hiring picks up in February-March (post-holiday recovery) and August-September (for fall menu launches and holiday staffing). Summer is often for maintaining staff, and many places slow down in the deep of winter (Jan-Feb) after the holidays. Plan your job search accordingly.

Q: What’s the one piece of advice you’d give a chef moving to Lewisville?
A: Buy a reliable car with good A/C. This sounds trivial, but Lewisville is a driving city with extreme summer heat. Your ability to commute reliably to a job in The Colony, Carrollton, or even Dallas will directly impact your career options. Factor this into your budget from day one.