As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chef in the United States is $59,069 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.
However, a Chef's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Chef | $56,600 |
| Intermediate Level Chef | $57,161 |
| Senior Level Chef | $57,947 |
| Specialist Level Chef | $59,385 |
| Expert Level Chef | $62,541 |
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 Cheves. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Presentation | 8.53% |
| Food Service | 2.44% |
| Food Handling | 1.35% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Instructing
|
$66,748 |
13%
|
|
Production Orders
|
$66,157 |
12%
|
|
Customer Satisfaction
|
$65,567 |
11%
|
|
Coaching
|
$64,385 |
9%
|
|
SOP
|
$64,385 |
9%
|
|
Procurement
|
$64,385 |
9%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Cheves enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Chef with a No Diploma is between $55,899 and $61,197).
Chef Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.8% |
| High School | 14.5% |
| Associates | 52.7% |
| Bachelors | 27.3% |
| Masters | 3.6% |
| Doctorate | 3.6% |
Understanding how a 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.
Last Updated on January 01, 2026For a Chef, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Executive Chef role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $87,188 - a projected growth of 48% over your current level.
Salaries for a Chef can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $51,751 in 2023 to around $50,812 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Chef salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $51,751 |
| 2024 | $51,465 |
| 2025 | $50,812 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Chef and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Chef job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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A Chef'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 Chef earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Chef is $74,504.
The highest pay for Chef is $79,268.
The lowest pay for Chef is $44,702.
Oversees kitchen operations, including menu development, purchasing, inventory, cost control, and sanitation. Creates and updates menus that will appeal to customers. Develops and tests new recipes. Monitors meal quality and guest satisfaction. May require an associate degree. Formal training at an accredited culinary institute is required or equivalent experience. Typically reports to an executive chef. Supervises a group of primarily para-professional level staffs. May also be a level above a supervisor within high volume administrative/production environments. Makes day-to-day decisions within or for a group/small department. Has some authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 3-5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. Thorough knowledge of functional area and department processes.
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.
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