Chef Salary: How Much Do Chefs Make?

Gordon Ramsay has a reported net worth of $220 million. Rachel Ray has $100 million. And Bobby Flay has $60 million. Becoming a world-renowned celebrity chef sounds like the dream, with sky-high earnings coming from restaurant empires, TV shows, and book deals. But how much does an average chef make? Let’s take a deeper look.

What is the job outlook for aspiring chefs?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports 187,100 chef positions for 2023, with an expected growth rate of 8% within the next decade—it’s projected that an average of 24,600 positions open each year. Chef positions are expected to grow at a faster rate than the employment average as a whole.

While the typical entry-level education required to become a chef is a high-school diploma (or equivalent), many aspiring chefs complete more schooling: community college, technical school, culinary arts school, or four-year college programs.

Culinary programs prepare students with lots of time in the kitchen while covering other aspects of kitchen work, such as menu planning, food sanitation, and inventory management. You may also need to complete an internship or apprenticeship as part of the program to gain more hands-on experience. 

Aspiring chefs can also complete apprenticeships independently. These programs are sponsored by culinary institutes, industry associations, or trade unions and combine instruction with on-the-job training for topics like food safety and equipment safety. Apprentices learn practical kitchen skills under the direct supervision of a professional chef.

Beyond education, many aspiring chefs also start in more entry-level restaurant positions, such as working as a line cook, to gain experience from the professionals around them. It can take years of kitchen experience before an employee becomes a chef or head chef. 

Most states also require chefs to carry a food handler’s certification. You can also get certified under the American Culinary Federation for titles like certified sous chef and certified executive chef to help with career advancement (or lead to higher pay).

How much do chefs make?

Chefs can make good money, depending on education, experience, specialization, and location. While entry-level chefs may not be making top dollar, the long-run earning opportunities for chefs can be significant. 

As of January 2025, Salary.com reports the average chef’s salary in the United States as $53,386, with a broader range of $46,381 to $62,227. And not too far off, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics cites $58,920 per year as the median pay for chefs in 2023. 

Talent.com reports average numbers by analyzing thousands of public salaries. At the time of writing, the site reports an average U.S. chef’s salary to be $55,000, with entry-level positions starting at $39,976 and more experienced chefs making up to $80,000. When looking at the average pay for specific types of chefs, here’s what we found:

 

 

With such large ranges, one of the best ways to find out what a chef like you (or the ones you’re employing) should be making is by practicing salary transparency. While sources online can give you a benchmark, speaking to chefs or restaurant operators with similar experiences can help you understand what to expect when it comes to pay. 

How do chef salaries compare to others?

Talent.com currently reports the average restaurant worker’s salary at $29,641 per year (or $14.25 per hour), which is significantly lower than the average chef’s earnings of $55,000 per year (or $26.44 per hour). We compare this with other restaurant salaries using the source’s live data in the table below.

Chefs make more than other restaurant workers, with a slight bump above the average general manager (2.3%). Non-serving front-of-house staff—including runners, hosts, and bussers—make the lowest income on average at $29,250, nearly half (46.8%) of an average chef’s income.  

These numbers are just an estimate from one source—earnings can be much lower or higher, depending on different factors. For example, tips make up a large portion of servers’ and bartenders’ earnings, which can greatly influence a paycheck (if sales volumes are high and prices are high at a restaurant). So, in some cases, serving staff may make more than chefs when looking at total compensation. 

The average chef salary per year by location

Since location is one of the biggest factors affecting pay in any industry, it’s important to consider this when researching salary ranges. We break down the average chef salary by location in the table below for the ten most populated U.S. cities, using live data from Talent.com once again.

The average chef’s earnings in most major cities is higher than the reported nationwide average of $55,000. Chicago, San Diego, and San Antonio come out on top, with average chef salaries clearing the $67,000 mark. Jacksonville is the only city with a lower-than-average rate of $52,465—a minimal difference of 4.6%. And in the most populated U.S. city, New York, chefs are paid an average of $62,497 (about 13.6% higher).

Working as a chef in a big city can significantly bump your salary due to the greater demand for skilled chefs. Urban centers are culinary hubs for all types of restaurants, including fine dining and international cuisine, seeking the best talent out there. And a higher population, along with increased tourism, means that restaurants in big cities have more earning potential, allowing chefs to receive more competitive pay. 

On the other hand, while high costs of living in big cities mean restaurants can charge more (and, in turn, pay more), it’s also important to consider how this affects your expenses. Housing, transportation, and everyday necessities like groceries can easily negate the increase in salary. If you’re making a chef’s salary of $55,000 in Jacksonville, for instance, you’ll need to earn $95,595 to maintain the same standard of living in Brooklyn, New York, where the cost of living is 73.8% higher—according to Bankrate.com’s calculator.

How do chefs get paid? What about total compensation?

Chefs are typically paid on salary—this means that income is set at a fixed amount at the time of employment. There may be opportunities for a raise throughout the year, and the pay can be negotiated. 

The benefit of being on salary is having financial security since expectations are set ahead of time. Chefs can expect the same amount of money deposited into their account each payday, whereas other restaurant workers’ earnings may fluctuate based on the hours they’ve been scheduled for.

However, entry-level chefs (including prep and line cooks) are often paid hourly instead of a fixed salary. These positions may be part-time, and earnings may vary based on the restaurant’s schedule. While there can be considerable earning potential during busy periods, hourly pay tends to be inconsistent.    

When considering a chef’s pay, looking at total compensation is important. This means including any form of employee benefits, beyond the base salary, which can include the following:

Bonuses – If sales and profit margins are high at a restaurant, chefs may also be rewarded with bonuses. This is a one-time lump sum, such as $2,000, to acknowledge a chef’s direct role in the day-to-day success of operations. 

Tips – In smaller or more casual restaurants, chefs may receive a share of the tip pool that servers collect. For example, servers may tip out 5% of net sales, which is then distributed to the rest of the team (including chefs). The pooling is usually based on a pre-determined formula, using factors like position, seniority, and hours worked, to determine each worker’s tip out.  

Profit-sharing – In some restaurants, chefs receive a percentage of the establishment’s profits, also known as profit-sharing. Because compensation is tied to the restaurant’s success, profit-sharing can be used as a performance incentive for chefs. 

Health benefits – Benefits packages are becoming more popular in the restaurant industry, especially for salaried workers. Nerdwallet reports that employer-provided health insurance can be valued between $5,000 to $20,000. Comprehensive plans for medical, dental, and vision needs can provide financial protection for you and your family, especially in such a physically demanding role as a chef.

Retirement benefits – Employer matches to your 401(k) means you’ll be receiving additional income for retirement planning, essentially for free. Let’s say your restaurant offers an employer match of 50%, up to 6% of your self-contributed salary. With a chef’s annual income of $55,000, contributing $3,300 (6% of $$55,000) to your retirement account will maximize your employer match, giving you an extra $1,650.  

Other benefits – Other benefits to consider include paid time off (PTO), discounted meals, and professional development opportunities, such as attending culinary workshops or conferences to further your career. Work-life balance can be a make-it-or-break-it factor—if you don’t enjoy working at your restaurant, the high pay may not be worth it.

How to increase your chef salary

While education and certification, along with packing up and moving to a big city, can increase your earning potential as a chef, there are a few other steps you can take to maximize your income. This includes the following:

Build your brand – Your reputation in the restaurant industry matters. While you might not be Gordon Ramsay, industry professionals often have strong connections with one another. Gaining experience at a well-known restaurant or with a well-known chef can help you build your brand. Some chefs also build platforms through social media, like Justin Khanna on YouTube. And if that isn’t accessible, being a dependable and hardworking employee can impact your earning potential positively as you move from one position to another. 

Niche down on skills – Chefs with niche skills, such as mastering plate presentation, often have higher earning potential due to increased demand for their expertise. You may also specialize in a specific type of cuisine, such as sushi, or a particular culinary art, such as teppanyaki, to enhance your value in the industry.  

Start a side hustle – You may need to work more to make more. As a restaurant chef, you can also work as a personal chef during your time off as an additional income stream. Personal chefs charge anywhere from $40 to $100 per hour or $ $130 per person. Plus, rates for a one-time dinner can range from $300 to a whopping $1,600.  

Gain more experience – Like most other professions, it may just take time before you start earning the big bucks. While executive chefs are among the top earners, entry-level ones earn an average of $59,000. After 5 to 9 years, average earnings increase to $63,000. And with over 20 years of experience, earnings shoot up to $75,000. Staying in the same career path can pay off in the long run as your earning potential grows with experience and expertise.

A chef’s salary, summarized

While different sources claim different rates, it’s safe to say that the average chef’s salary in the U.S. is about $55,000, with earnings ranging much lower or higher—depending on the type of chef, along with factors like education, experience, specialization, and location. 

Compared to other restaurant positions, chefs are paid a notable difference due to their direct influence on an establishment’s success. Plus, unlike other roles, chefs are often paid on salary, while receiving benefits that add to their total compensation, such as bonuses, health insurance, and retirement contributions. 

To earn more as a chef, building a personal brand and honing specialized skills are two factors that can set you apart from others. As you continue to advance professionally, your earning potential can grow significantly over time.