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 a Research Chef in California is $80,995 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.
However, a Research 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 HR
AI Onboarding
Research Chef Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $87,002 | $7,250 | $1,673 | $42 |
| Average | $80,995 | $6,750 | $1,558 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,324 | $6,110 | $1,410 | $35 |
GE Vernova - NISKAYUNA, NY
GE Vernova - NISKAYUNA, NY
Aramark - LAFAYETTE SPRINGS, MS
Market District - EXPORT, PA
A Research 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 a Research 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 Research Chef | $79,930 |
| Intermediate Level Research Chef | $80,249 |
| Senior Level Research Chef | $80,995 |
| Specialist Level Research Chef | $81,848 |
| Expert Level Research Chef | $82,773 |
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 Research 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:
For Research Chef roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Research Chef positions in MFG Nondurable or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research Chef as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $97,194 | $47.0 | 20% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $93,145 | $45.0 | 15% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $85,045 | $41.0 | 5% |
Understanding how a Research 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 | $87,002 | $7,250 | $1,673 | $42 |
| Average | $80,995 | $6,750 | $1,558 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,324 | $6,110 | $1,410 | $35 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Research Chef job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
GE Vernova
NORTH CAMBRIDGE, MA
GE Vernova | NORTH CAMBRIDGE, MA
As a Research Engineer in GE Vernova’s R&D organization, you will design, model, and test innovative technologies for low‑carbon power generation, grid mod... more
3 Days Ago
GE Vernova
UPPER UNION, NY
GE Vernova | UPPER UNION, NY
GE Vernova is seeking a Lead Research Engineer to drive advanced R&D in our Energy & Utilities portfolio within the Research & Development (R&D) organizati... more
3 Days Ago
GE Vernova
UPPER UNION, NY
GE Vernova | UPPER UNION, NY
As a Research Engineer in GE Vernova’s R&D organization, you will design, model, and test innovative technologies for low‑carbon power generation, grid mod... more
3 Days Ago
Marriott
LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, MD
Marriott | LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, MD
As a Banquets Chef at Marriott, you will lead all banquet culinary operations within our Food & Beverage Operations department, delivering exceptional expe... more
2 Days Ago
Resort Lifestyle Communities
ONE HORSE STORE, AR
ARAMARK
ALTUS, OK
ARAMARK | ALTUS, OK
ARAMARK is seeking an Executive Chef for Florida State University to lead culinary operations, menu innovation, and kitchen teams in a high-volume campus d... more
3 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:
