Salary AI Book a Demo

Kitchen Steward Salary in the United States

How much does a Kitchen Steward make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Kitchen Steward in the United States is $34,890 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.

However, a Kitchen Steward's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $40,285
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $32,645 to $37,714
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $30,601
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Kitchen Steward Salaries

A Kitchen Steward'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.

How Experience Level Affects Kitchen Steward Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Kitchen Steward'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $34,488
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $34,890
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $35,817
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $35,944
  • Expert (over 8 years): $36,154
Levels Salary
Entry Level Kitchen Steward$34,488
Intermediate Level Kitchen Steward$34,890
Senior Level Kitchen Steward$35,817
Specialist Level Kitchen Steward$35,944
Expert Level Kitchen Steward$36,154
View as Graph

How Do Kitchen Steward Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Kitchen Stewards. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $38,630.
  • California: $38,484.
  • Massachusetts: $37,971.

Top Paying Cities for Kitchen Stewards

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:

  • San Jose: $44,007
  • San Francisco: $43,525
  • Oakland: $42,608

Kitchen Steward Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Kitchen Steward salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $37,341. While startup companies pay approximate $31,700.

Kitchen Steward Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $31,700
Growth Stage 51~500 $33,497
Established 501~5000 $36,088
Enterprise 5000+ $37,341

Kitchen Steward Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Kitchen Steward roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 25% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Hospitality & Leisure, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Kitchen Steward positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Kitchen Steward as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Kitchen Steward

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Hospitality & Leisure$38,379$18.010%
Healthcare$36,634$18.05%

Kitchen Steward Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Kitchen Steward'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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$32,645
Average $34,890/year
$37,714
$2,720
Average $2,908/month
$3,143
$628
Average $671/week
$725
$16
Average $17/hour
$18
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $37,714 $3,143 $725 $18
Average $34,890 $2,908 $671 $17
25th Percentile $32,645 $2,720 $628 $16

Kitchen Steward Salary Growth & Career Path

Kitchen Steward

Next Role

Advancement

For a Kitchen Steward, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Kitchen Team Lead role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $44,882 - a projected growth of 29% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Kitchen Steward

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Kitchen Steward

Here are companies hiring for Kitchen Steward and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Kitchen Steward Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Kitchen Steward job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Kitchen Steward

1. Where can a Kitchen Steward earn the most?

A Kitchen Steward's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Kitchen Steward earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Kitchen Steward is $44,007.

2. What is the highest pay for Kitchen Steward?

The highest pay for Kitchen Steward is $40,285.

3. What is the lowest pay for Kitchen Steward?

The lowest pay for Kitchen Steward is $30,601.

4. What are the responsibilities of Kitchen Steward?

Maintains and cleans the kitchen. Washes, dries, and stores dishes. Follows cleanliness and sanitation regulations. May require a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Kitchen Steward?

The Hospitality & Leisure industry offers the highest average compensation for Kitchen Steward roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst