How much does a Chef make?

The average salary for a Chef is $49,006 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 7293 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Chef employees in United States.

The highest salary for a Chef in United States is $60,986 per year.

The lowest salary for a Chef in United States is $39,530 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Chef or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Chef.

Chefs often work late into the night. Their wages vary by region and employer, however, pay is usually highest in upscale restaurants and hotels, as well as major metropolitan and resort areas. The highest paid chefs typically attended specialized culinary institutes or apprenticeship programs, but there are instances where chefs with no formal training have opened successful kitchens. Chefs earning a salary can raise their income by investing in their own human capital to move to a higher-paying restaurant. Chefs who own their own restaurant can work to advertise their services and grow their customer base.

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According to ratings on Glassdoor, approximately 66% of chefs believe their current pay is satisfactory. Overall, a chef's salary qualifies as good thanks to $3,138.90 in additional earnings annually. A solid professional network, eight or more years of experience, and professional training also solidify salary.

Chef salaries vary extensively, ranging from $32,596.03 to $74,104.45 with an average of $45,867.41 if you follow the typical chef career path. Gaining experience in the field, building your network, and mastering job-specific skills impact earnings with time, and you can progress to a senior position as a head chef. In this role, you can earn a higher salary and total pay.

To make more money in your chef career, consider a bachelor's degree in culinary arts. Since it's not required at most establishments, it demonstrates a higher level of knowledge, skill, and dedication to your craft, scoring you a higher salary as a chef. Next, focus on gaining as much experience as possible, whether that's through hands-on internships, part-time roles, or on-the-job training. Not only should you master making diverse dishes from scratch, but you should be able to plan menus, order ingredients, handle a kitchen team, manage food safety procedures, and be on top of time management. Certification through the American Culinary Federation underscores your role by highlighting executive-level skills.

When negotiating salary in your chef position, always ask what the kitchen budget is. Every establishment has a budget range for their kitchen professionals, and whether that's $10,000 or $10 million depends on location, setting, and experience level. Seek out establishments with the highest budget in your area of expertise, and negotiate a 5-10% increase. If the salary range for sous-chefs runs between $50,000 and $60,000, for instance, negotiate toward $60,000 by demonstrating a higher level of kitchen knowledge, skill, training, and experience than your peers. Always factor in benefits, such as extra vacation time or job flexibility, and get any bonuses down in writing.

About 65.83% of Chef professionals feel satisfied with their salary, according to anonymous Glassdoor ratings. An additional $3,139 in potential pay per year, among other factors, can qualify the annual pay of a Chef in United States as a good salary.

Chef professionals in United States have a wide total pay range, between $32,596 and $74,104 depending on experience, with an estimated total pay of $49,006 following the average career path of a Chef.