Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Chef in California is $61,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.
However, an Assistant Chef's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
Recruit with AI
Assistant Chef Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $68,100 | $5,675 | $1,310 | $33 |
| Average | $61,600 | $5,133 | $1,185 | $30 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,500 | $4,625 | $1,067 | $27 |
Levant Mediterranean Restaurant - Turkish Cuisine - Los Angeles, CA
BROWN SUGAR BAKERY - Los Angeles, CA
The Meat Guy La - Los Angeles, CA
Caesars Entertainment - South Lake Tahoe, CA
An Assistant Chef's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Assistant Chef's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Cook I | 0-1 years | $37,320 |
| Cook II | 1-3 years | $41,561 |
| Cook III | 3-5 years | $46,819 |
| Assistant Chef | 5+ years | $61,509 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Assistant Cheves. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Assistant Chef salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $68,958. While startup companies pay approximate $58,337.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $58,337 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $61,698 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $66,591 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $68,958 |
For Assistant Chef roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Assistant Chef positions in Telecom or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Assistant Chef as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $83,160 | $40.0 | 35% |
| Energy & Utilities | $80,080 | $38.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $77,000 | $37.0 | 25% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $73,920 | $36.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $73,920 | $36.0 | 20% |
Understanding how an Assistant Chef's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $68,100 | $5,675 | $1,310 | $33 |
| Average | $61,600 | $5,133 | $1,185 | $30 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,500 | $4,625 | $1,067 | $27 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Assistant Chef, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Banquet Chef | $65,200 | 6% |
| Head Pastry Chef | $76,830 | 25% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Assistant Chef job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Caesars Entertainment
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Caesars Entertainment | South Lake Tahoe, CA
Assistant Sous Chef. The Assistant Sous Chef supports the Sous Chef and Executive Chef in overseeing daily kitchen operations at Friday's Station Steakhous... more
6 Days Ago
Constellation Brands
Yountville, CA
Constellation Brands | Yountville, CA
Job Description Company Summary We’re the producers, creators and marketers of beer, wine and spirits brands that people love. At Constellation Brands, we’... more
6 Days Ago
TRAINING & RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Santa Ana, CA
TRAINING & RESEARCH FOUNDATION | Santa Ana, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. JOIN OUR TEAM |. Training and Research Foundation. Do you enjoy preparing nutritious meals and supporting ch... more
6 Days Ago
Urban Plates
San Jose, CA
Urban Plates | San Jose, CA
Restaurant Sous Chef / Assistant Kitchen Manager. Urban Plates Restaurants. 3055 Olin Ave #1020, San Jose, CA 95128. Pay: $65000 - $75000 based on experien... more
6 Days Ago
Urban Plates
Sunnyvale, CA
Urban Plates | Sunnyvale, CA
Urban Plates - 300 West McKinley Avenue - Responsibilities: Assist the Chef/Executive Kitchen Manager in culinary operations. Ensure quality of food delive... more
8 Days Ago
Urban Plates
Los Angeles, CA
Urban Plates | Los Angeles, CA
Urban Plates - 12746-3 West Jefferson Boulevard - Responsibilities: Assist the Chef/Executive Kitchen Manager in managing culinary operations. Ensure quali... more
8 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
