
Percentile | 10% | 75% |
---|---|---|
Hourly Wage | $ 14.86 | $ 31.41 |
Annual Wage (2) | $ 30,910 | $ 65,340 |
What is the average salary of a head chef?
The average salary for a Head Chef is $48,981. Visit PayScale to research head chef salaries by city, experience, skill, employer and more.
How much does chef Gordon Ramsey pay his head chefs?
The median annual wage for chefs and head cooks is $51,530, but top celebrity chefs are paid far beyond that. The highest paid chef, Gordon Ramsay, earned $63 million in 2019, according to Forbes. Who is the highest paid chef in the world?
How much money do chefs really make?
The median salary of a regular chef makes less than $55,000 annually, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. So how are celebrity chefs raking in their dough? Well, according to Insider, it's their TV shows and other entertainment ventures. Think Food Network.
How much money does a head chef earn?
What is the Pay by Experience Level for Head Chefs? An entry-level Head Chef with less than 1 year experience can expect to earn an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of $41,252 based on 10 salaries.
What is the job of a head chef?
How to become a chef?
What does a chef do?
What is the job of an executive chef?
How long does it take to become a sous chef?
Do chefs get paid by the hour?
Is it easy to be a chef?
See 2 more

How much does a top chef make an hour?
Top Chef SalaryAnnual SalaryHourly WageTop Earners$99,000$4875th Percentile$85,500$41Average$64,114$3125th Percentile$37,500$18
What is the highest paid chef position?
High Paying Executive Chef JobsCorporate Executive Chef. Salary range: $82,000-$104,500 per year. ... Research Chef. Salary range: $50,000-$95,500 per year. ... Chef De Cuisine. Salary range: $52,500-$78,000 per year. ... Chef. Salary range: $30,000-$60,500 per year. ... Banquet Chef. ... Chef Manager. ... Head Chef. ... Food Stylist.More items...
How much do head chefs make in New York City?
How much does a Head Chef make in New York? The average Head Chef salary in New York is $92,900 as of September 26, 2022, but the range typically falls between $80,100 and $107,200.
How many days a week do head chefs work?
For a chef job in a restaurant, expect to work 7 days a week for 12 to 14 hours each shift. And that's pretty much the industry standard. No matter the level you are at in the kitchen, you can expect to work a minimum of 50 hours a week.
Can you make 100k as a chef?
Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as a chef. While possible, it is unlikely to earn over $100k as a chef because even higher-paid positions do not typically earn more than $69,000 per year. The average annual salary for a chef is $47,396.
Can you be rich as a chef?
Some successful cooks do make a very good living but, as far as I know, no chef has ever landed on any Forbes highest-paid lists. It's a fact that people don't become chefs to get rich – at least, not Mark Zuckerberg type wealth.
Do head chefs work every day?
Most chefs and head cooks work full time and often work early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays. Some work more than 40 hours per week.
Is being Head Chef stressful?
Being a head chef in a large restaurant is one of the most stressful jobs, a new study has revealed.
Is being a Head Chef worth it?
There Are Great Salary Opportunities As of 2019, Executive Chefs nationwide earn an average salary of $68,000 per year, though that number is higher in major cities like Los Angeles ($77,000 per year) and New York ($82,000 per year).
What is the hardest part of being a chef?
Here are the five biggest challenges I face in my role as a Chef.Competition.Customer expectations.Staff Retention and Recruitment. ... Sustainability.
Why do chefs work so hard?
You must staff, train and retain cooks, dishwashers and in certain establishments also have a hand in server training. The staff you get vary wildly; some are wonderful professionals, some make you wonder how they even feed themselves. They're all your responsibility.
Is 40 too old to be a chef?
Is There an Age Cutoff for Becoming a Chef? It is never too late to become a chef! This career has no age limits, and there are many successful chefs who found culinary arts later in life.
What is the highest star for a chef?
If there is something in which a talented chef dreams, then he's a Michelin star. Getting one is a veritable testament to the skill and dedication of a chef. This is why for years and years, the world's best chefs are working hard to get just one to boost their ranking.
Is executive chef the highest position?
The Executive chef sits at the top of the kitchen hierarchy; their role is primarily managerial. Executive chefs tend to manage kitchens at multiple outlets and are not usually directly responsible for cooking.
Who is higher than the chef?
Sous Chef, or Assistant Chef, is the right-hand to the Executive Chef. Sous Chefs manage a staff of assistant chefs, cooks and kitchen workers, as well as creating dishes for the menu. Senior Chef, formally called Chef de Partie, is assigned one particular menu specialty in which he or she excels.
What are the highest paying jobs in the food industry?
8 jobs in the food industry with above-average paySous chef. National average salary: $50,239 per year. ... Dietitian. National average salary: $50,363 per year. ... Sommelier. National average salary: $51,137 per year. ... Restaurant manager. ... Director of dining services. ... Head chef. ... Restaurant owner. ... Food service manager.
How much does a Head CHEF make?
As of Aug 9, 2022, the average hourly pay for a Head CHEF in the United States is $25.12 an hour.While ZipRecruiter is seeing hourly wages as high...
What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Head CHEF Jobs?
Green River, WY ($67,057)Atkinson, NE ($64,564)San Francisco, CA ($61,430)Washington, DC ($61,382)Bolinas, CA ($61,088)Kensington, NY ($60,246)Brow...
What are Top 5 Best Paying Related Head CHEF Jobs in the U.S.?
Travel Chef ($106,183)Senior Development Chef ($98,365)Corporate Executive Chef ($94,872)Senior Executive Chef ($91,250)Regional Executive Chef ($9...
How much does a Head Chef make?
Head chefs make $46,638 per year on average, or $22.42 per hour, in the United States. Head chefs on the lower end of that spectrum, the bottom 10%...
What state pays Head Chefs the most?
Hawaii pays Head Chefs the most in the United States, with an average salary of $70,429 per year, or $33.86 per hour.
How do I know if I'm being paid fairly as a Head Chef?
You know if you are being paid fairly as a Head Chef if your pay is close to the average pay for the state you live in. For example, if you live in...
What type of Head Chef gets paid the most?
Executive Chef gets paid the most. Executive Chef made a median salary of $57,872. The best-paid 10 percent make $70,000, while the lowest-paid 10...
What is the job of a head chef?
Job Description. A head chef or executive chef is ultimately responsible for every dish that comes out of the kitchen. The chef doesn't typically handle prep work, like chopping vegetables and making sauces, but may cook entrees or put the finishing touches on finicky dishes.
How to become a chef?
You are better off having four years of cooking experience than four years of college experience. Becoming a head chef requires you to work your way up, probably starting as a kitchen assistant or line cook and earning a reputation for your cooking ability.
What does a chef do?
The chef often handles hiring and firing decisions of kitchen staff. Head chefs sometimes own the restaurants that they oversee. In other cases, chefs collaborate with the owner and get that person's approval for menu changes, budgets and personnel decisions.
What is the job of an executive chef?
The executive chef is responsible for menu planning and may create new dishes each day to offer as specials or make changes to the standard menu as the seasons change. Inventory is also a critical part of the job. The head chef often makes ingredient lists, does the ordering, and manages the budget or oversees the person who handles these tasks.
How long does it take to become a sous chef?
It usually takes at least a few years to gain enough experience to be hired as an executive chef, but it could also take 10 years or more of working as a sous chef before you get your big break. Pay isn't tied to years of experience in this industry.
Do chefs get paid by the hour?
Although some executive or head chefs are paid an annual salary, it's common for this position to be paid by the hour. There's a huge pay range in this position because some head chefs work in chain restaurants in small towns and others work in five-star restaurants in major cities.
Is it easy to be a chef?
It's also not an easy or glamorous job. Expect to spend your day on your feet working in a hot, crowded kitchen. Head chefs often have to work holidays in addition to primarily nights and weekends. Chefs may only have Monday off, when many restaurants close or are quiet enough to spare them.
How much do chefs make an hour?
Head chefs also make more than regular chefs with $23.57 an hour being their average annual income. Sous chefs make a similar wage as head chefs at $23.39 an hour on average. Additionally, where a chef is located geographically can also have a significant impact on their average salary.
Where do chefs work?
Where a chef works can also play a big role in how much they are capable of earning. While many chefs begin their careers in restaurants, there are several other places of employment to consider in order to make a higher salary. Some of the highest-paying places of work include upscale resorts, top-rated fine dining restaurants, performing arts companies and as a private chef for a person, family or group of people.
What level of education do chefs need?
The minimum education requirements to become a chef are typically a high school diploma or its equivalent. Many chefs learn their trade through on-the-job training and work experience. However, there are ample opportunities for chefs to pursue higher education in their field, including college degrees, certifications and apprenticeships.
How much will the demand for chefs grow in 2028?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for chefs is expected to grow by 11% from now through 2028, which is a much higher growth rate than other occupations in the United States. The most opportunity for growth for chefs is anticipated to be in the foodservice industry, such as restaurants and other locations that serve food.
What is a chef?
Chefs are an indispensable part of the culinary world, and those who become chefs have a wide spectrum of job opportunities to choose from. Chefs are needed in various culinary settings, such as kitchens, restaurants, schools and private homes and events. The salary that a chef is capable of making is based on several factors, ...
How do chefs learn their trade?
Many chefs learn their trade through on-the-job training and work experience. However, there are ample opportunities for chefs to pursue higher education in their field, including college degrees, certifications and apprenticeships. 4.7. 6 ratings.
Which state pays the most chefs?
The highest-paying state for chefs in 2016 was New Jersey, with Nevada, Kentucky and Mississippi also paying higher-than-average salaries for chefs. Additionally, certain cities may pay more than other cities in the same state. Busy metro areas often offer chefs a higher salary due to the volume of people that many locations in which a chef may work see on a daily basis.
Most common benefits
The average salary for a head chef is $53,896 per year in the United States. 1.6k salaries reported, updated at February 18, 2022.
How much should you be earning?
Get an estimated calculation of how much you should be earning and insight into your career options. See more details
How much do head chefs make?
Head chefs in the United States make an average salary of $44,181 per year or $21.24 per hour. In terms of salary range, an entry level head chef salary is roughly $27,000 a year, while the top 10% makes $71,000. If you like following the crowd, hospitality and retail companies tend to attract the most workers in this field. But if you're in it for the money, then you'll want to seek out finance, pharmaceutical, and retail companies, as employees in each industry have reported the highest salaries. As most things go, location can be critical. Hawaii, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, and Nevada provide the highest head chef salaries.
How Much Do Head Chefs Make In Different Industries?
For example, Head Chefs make a whopping average salary of $47,393 while working for Finance companies. Meanwhile, other people in this field are making $45,581 at Pharmaceutical companies and $41,685 at Retail companies. But Head Chefs may want to avoid working in the Hospitality industry as it offers the lowest average salary at $41,484.
What is the role of a chef manager?
The primary role of a Chef Manager is to supervise food preparation. They may work in varies settings, such as restaurants, schools, and hospitals.
What is a chef de cuisine?
A chef de cuisine, also known as an executive chef, oversees a kitchen's daily operations in public and private establishments to ensure food quality and efficient services. Their duties require cooking and leadership skills because they involve leading menu development and meal preparation, coordinating staff, delegating responsibilities, selecting and sourcing ingredients, and handling customer issues and concerns promptly and professionally. Moreover, a chef de cuisine leads and empowers staff to reach the kitchen's daily goals while implementing health standards and regulations.
What is a chef/caterer?
A Chef/Caterer is responsible for cooking dishes at events. They direct the kitchen staff and wait personnel in serving the food, attending to food stations, and setting up buffet tables.
What are the best companies to work for as a head chef?
To earn a high income as a head chef, working for Vail Resorts or Universal might be your best bet, as they are the highest paying companies in this field. In addition, companies like Procter & Gamble and Daniel report highly competitive wages for head chefs.
What is a lead line cook?
Typically, lead line cooks work under the supervision of a chef or head cook in a kitchen. Leadline cooks oversee the food preparation process from start to end. Their duties include the supervision of kitchen staff, recruitment and training of new kitchen employees, and monitoring of food quality. They comply with the sanitation and nutrition regulations of food as well as their safety standards. They should be knowledgeable and have skills in food preparation, customer service, attention to detail, and communication.
How much does an executive chef make?
How much does an Executive Chef make hourly in the United States? The average hourly wage for an Executive Chef in the United States is $35 as of October 29, 2021, but the range typically falls between $29 and $42. Hourly rate can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
What does an Executive Chef do?
Master and executive chefs may need to be available for any shift—depending on the establishment worked for—and commonly work 12-hour shifts to oversee all kitchen operations over the course of the day.
What factors affect hourly pay?
Hourly rate can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills , the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Who does the Executive Chef report to?
Typically reports to top management. The Executive Chef typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget.
What is the role of human resources in the kitchen?
Manage Human Resources in the production and preparation areas of the kitchen in order to attract, retain and motivate the associates while providing a safe work environment.
How much does a Chef make?
As of Feb 8, 2022, the average hourly pay for a Chef in the United States is $15.15 an hour.
What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Chef Jobs
We’ve identified 10 cities where the typical salary for a Chef job is above the national average. Topping the list is Sunnyvale, CA, with Santa Cruz, CA and Tudor City, NY close behind in the second and third positions.
What are Top 5 Best Paying Related Chef Jobs in the U.S
We found at least five jobs related to the Chef job category that pay more per year than a typical Chef salary. Top examples of these roles include: Senior Development Chef, Corporate Chef, and Innovation Chef.
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How much does a head chef make?
A mid-career head chef (about 5–9 years of experience) at a London-based restaurant earns an average of about £33,300. An experienced head chef (10+ years experience) can expect to be making around £40,000. However, at a Michelin star restaurant in London, the head chef is unlikely to demand anything less than £50,000 a year.
What is the job of a head chef?
The head chef, or executive chef, oversees the operations of a restaurant or hotel kitchen and is responsible for all food from the moment it’s conceived right up until plating. They are invariably the restaurant’s best paid employee.
How much does a chef make in a Michelin restaurant?
The average salary for chef in a US Michelin star restaurant is a little under $57,000. However, experienced workers, such as sous chefs, in a city like New York, can expect to make considerably more – in the region of $70,000–80,000.
How many stars does a chef have?
This is important because there can obviously be a clear distinction between the amount of money made by a chef (or restaurateur) who runs 10 restaurants with a combined 3 stars and a chef who runs 1 restaurant with 3 stars (the most a single restaurant can get). There are many other factors complicating the matter too.
How much do chefs make in Japan?
Tokyo. Head chefs in Japan are often paid more than 10 million Yen ($92,000) a year. That includes at non-Michelin star restaurants, so the head chef at a Michelin star restaurant in a major city like Tokyo can expect to make at least that.
What is a sous chef?
The sous chef is the head chef’s second in command and occasionally their protegé. It is often the final step of the career ladder before becoming a head chef. They have many high-level responsibilities, often including staff training, shift scheduling, and food presentation.
What is the cheapest Michelin star restaurant?
The cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world is Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle in Singapore, which serves meals for less than $2 a head.
What is the job of a head chef?
Job Description. A head chef or executive chef is ultimately responsible for every dish that comes out of the kitchen. The chef doesn't typically handle prep work, like chopping vegetables and making sauces, but may cook entrees or put the finishing touches on finicky dishes.
How to become a chef?
You are better off having four years of cooking experience than four years of college experience. Becoming a head chef requires you to work your way up, probably starting as a kitchen assistant or line cook and earning a reputation for your cooking ability.
What does a chef do?
The chef often handles hiring and firing decisions of kitchen staff. Head chefs sometimes own the restaurants that they oversee. In other cases, chefs collaborate with the owner and get that person's approval for menu changes, budgets and personnel decisions.
What is the job of an executive chef?
The executive chef is responsible for menu planning and may create new dishes each day to offer as specials or make changes to the standard menu as the seasons change. Inventory is also a critical part of the job. The head chef often makes ingredient lists, does the ordering, and manages the budget or oversees the person who handles these tasks.
How long does it take to become a sous chef?
It usually takes at least a few years to gain enough experience to be hired as an executive chef, but it could also take 10 years or more of working as a sous chef before you get your big break. Pay isn't tied to years of experience in this industry.
Do chefs get paid by the hour?
Although some executive or head chefs are paid an annual salary, it's common for this position to be paid by the hour. There's a huge pay range in this position because some head chefs work in chain restaurants in small towns and others work in five-star restaurants in major cities.
Is it easy to be a chef?
It's also not an easy or glamorous job. Expect to spend your day on your feet working in a hot, crowded kitchen. Head chefs often have to work holidays in addition to primarily nights and weekends. Chefs may only have Monday off, when many restaurants close or are quiet enough to spare them.

Job Description
- A head chefor executive chef is ultimately responsible for every dish that comes out of the kitchen. The chef doesn't typically handle prep work, like chopping vegetables and making sauces, but may cook entrees or put the finishing touches on finicky dishes. This person supervises everyone else working in the kitchen, so a shift may include tasting...
Education Requirements
- Having a degree from a well-respected culinary school might help you get your foot in the door of a great restaurant, but experience is king when it comes to cooking. Not having a bachelor's degree won't be a problem in most restaurants. You are better off having four years of cooking experience than four years of college experience. Becoming a head chef requires you to work yo…
Industry
- Working as a head chef isn't a 9-to-5 job. It's not unusual to work 12-hour days, six days a week. It's also not an easy or glamorous job. Expect to spend your day on your feet working in a hot, crowded kitchen. Head chefs often have to work holidays in addition to primarily nights and weekends. Chefs may only have Monday off, when many restaurants close or are quiet enough t…
Years of Experience and Salary
- No one becomes head chef right away. It usually takes at least a few years to gain enough experience to be hired as an executive chef, but it could also take 10 years or more of working as a sous chef before you get your big break. Pay isn't tied to years of experience in this industry. You're likely to command a high salary if you're talented and in demand, rather than because you'…
Job Growth Trend
- As long as Americans want to eat out, head chefs will continue to find work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 10 percent increase in these jobs between 2016 and 2026. However, anyone starting a cooking career should be aware that the restaurant industry can be unstable. You might have your dream job one day and lose it the next when the restaurant closes.