Kitchen Specialist Salary in the United States

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

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Kitchen Specialist in the United States is $32,508 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $16.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $36,656
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $30,177 to $34,679
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $28,055
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View as table View as graph 25% $30,177 10% $28,055 90% $36,656 75% $34,679 $32,508 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Kitchen Specialist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $34,679 $2,890 $667 $17
Average $32,508 $2,709 $625 $16
25th Percentile $30,177 $2,515 $580 $15
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Key Factors That Influence Kitchen Specialist Salaries

A Kitchen Specialist'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 Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Kitchen Specialist'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): $31,921
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $32,348
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $33,050
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $33,146
  • Expert (over 8 years): $33,306
Levels Salary
Entry Level Kitchen Specialist$31,921
Intermediate Level Kitchen Specialist$32,348
Senior Level Kitchen Specialist$33,050
Specialist Level Kitchen Specialist$33,146
Expert Level Kitchen Specialist$33,306
$31,921 0 yr
$32,348 < 2 yrs
$33,050 2-4 yrs
$33,146 5-8 yrs
$33,306 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Kitchen Specialist 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 Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $35,992.
  • California: $35,856.
  • Massachusetts: $35,378.

Top Paying Cities for Kitchen Specialists

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: $41,002
  • San Francisco: $40,599
  • Oakland: $39,698

What Skills Can Increase a Kitchen Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 6.26% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Food Service (Mentioned in 5.1% Job Postings): The foodservice or catering industry includes the businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home.
  • Work Ethic (Mentioned in 2.19% Job Postings): A belief that work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. A set of values centered on importance of work and manifested by determination or desire to work hard.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 6.26%
Food Service 5.1%
Work Ethic 2.19%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Kitchen Specialist's salary.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • WFM: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Food Safety: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment
 $34,133
5%
WFM
 $33,483
3%
Food Safety
 $33,158
2%
Innovation
 $33,158
2%
Dedication
 $33,158
2%
Customer Service
 $33,158
2%
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Kitchen Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Kitchen Specialist'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$30,177
Average $32,508/year
$34,679
$2,515
Average $2,709/month
$2,890
$580
Average $625/week
$667
$15
Average $16/hour
$17
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $34,679 $2,890 $667 $17
Average $32,508 $2,709 $625 $16
25th Percentile $30,177 $2,515 $580 $15

Salaries of jobs related to Kitchen Specialist

Salary Trends for Kitchen Specialist

Salaries for a Kitchen Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $33,701 in 2023 to around $32,965 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Kitchen Specialist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Kitchen Specialist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$33,701
2024
$33,600
2025
$32,965
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $33,701
2024 $33,600
2025 $32,965
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Kitchen Specialist

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401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Kitchen Specialist

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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.)

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