How much does an Executive Chef make?

Updated Dec 4, 2023

Experience

Industry

Total Pay Range
$76K - $113K/yr
Base Pay
$70K - $102K/yr
Additional Pay
$6K - $11K/yr

$92K

/yr
$76K$113K
Most Likely Range

The estimated total pay for a Executive Chef is $92,251 per year in the United States area, with an average salary of $84,494 per year. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated additional pay is $7,756 per year. Additional pay could include cash bonus, commission, tips, and profit sharing. The "Most Likely Range" represents values that exist within the 25th and 75th percentile of all pay data available for this role.

How accurate is this most likely Total Pay range (base + additional) of $76K-$113K/yr?

Top Paying Companies

For an Executive Chef in United States

Below is the total pay for the top 10 highest paying companies for an Executive Chef in United States. Employers include Nordstrom, Hy-Vee and The SSA Group.

1
Nordstrom
Nordstrom
$116,030/yr
1K open jobs
See pay for all companies for an Executive Chef in United StatesView data as table

Top Paying Companies

For Executive Chef in United States

1Nordstrom$116,030
2Hy-Vee$98,284
3The SSA Group$93,845
4Ritz-Carlton$93,242
5MGM Resorts International$92,484
6Hyatt$92,414
7Westin$92,232
8Merrill Gardens$92,216
9Kessler Collection$92,199
10IHG Hotels and Resorts$91,892

What are total pay estimates for an Executive Chef at different companies?

or
Sort:
Company
Jobs
Total Pay Range
JPMorgan Chase & Co
4
Executive DirectorSee 843 salaries from all locations

$275,636

 / yr
Morgan Stanley
3.9
Executive DirectorSee 756 salaries from all locations

$309,407

 / yr
Sodexo
3.3
Executive ChefSee 265 salaries from all locations

$80,784

 / yr
Brookdale Senior Living
3.4
Executive DirectorSee 211 salaries from all locations

$110,525

 / yr
UBS
3.9
Executive DirectorSee 207 salaries from all locations

$310,766

 / yr
Enlivant
3.6
Executive DirectorSee 148 salaries from all locations

$126,577

 / yr
Morrison Healthcare
3.4
Executive ChefSee 145 salaries from all locations

$81,253

 / yr

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Estée Lauder Companies
3.8
Executive DirectorSee 140 salaries from all locations

$263,890

 / yr
Aramark
3.3
Executive ChefSee 119 salaries from all locations

$88,038

 / yr
Compass Group
3.4
Executive ChefSee 102 salaries from all locations

$89,384

 / yr
Compass Group USA
3.6
Executive ChefSee 102 salaries from all locations

$89,499

 / yr
Sunrise Senior Living
3.4
Executive DirectorSee 101 salaries from all locations

$116,974

 / yr
YMCA
3.9
Executive DirectorSee 96 salaries from all locations

$87,399

 / yr
Marriott International
4.1
Executive ChefSee 88 salaries from all locations

$90,381

 / yr
CCS Fundraising
3.7
Executive DirectorSee 74 salaries from all locations

$97,992

 / yr
Chase
3.8
Executive DirectorSee 73 salaries from all locations

$276,036

 / yr
Atria Senior Living
3.1
Executive DirectorSee 70 salaries from all locations

$118,740

 / yr
Muscular Dystrophy Association
2.9
Executive DirectorSee 69 salaries from all locations

$94,510

 / yr
Merck
4.2
Executive DirectorSee 68 salaries from all locations

$370,097

 / yr
LHC Group
3.5
Executive DirectorSee 68 salaries from all locations

$125,252

 / yr
Download as data table

Executive Chef Salaries

Job TitleSalary
JPMorgan Chase & Co Executive Director salaries - 843 salaries reported$275,636/yr
Morgan Stanley Executive Director salaries - 756 salaries reported$309,407/yr
Sodexo Executive Chef salaries - 265 salaries reported$80,784/yr
Brookdale Senior Living Executive Director salaries - 211 salaries reported$110,525/yr
UBS Executive Director salaries - 207 salaries reported$310,766/yr
Enlivant Executive Director salaries - 148 salaries reported$126,577/yr
Morrison Healthcare Executive Chef salaries - 145 salaries reported$81,253/yr
Estée Lauder Companies Executive Director salaries - 140 salaries reported$263,890/yr
Aramark Executive Chef salaries - 119 salaries reported$88,038/yr
Compass Group Executive Chef salaries - 102 salaries reported$89,384/yr
Compass Group USA Executive Chef salaries - 102 salaries reported$89,499/yr
Sunrise Senior Living Executive Director salaries - 101 salaries reported$116,974/yr
YMCA Executive Director salaries - 96 salaries reported$87,399/yr
Marriott International Executive Chef salaries - 88 salaries reported$90,381/yr
CCS Fundraising Executive Director salaries - 74 salaries reported$97,992/yr
Chase Executive Director salaries - 73 salaries reported$276,036/yr
Atria Senior Living Executive Director salaries - 70 salaries reported$118,740/yr
Muscular Dystrophy Association Executive Director salaries - 69 salaries reported$94,510/yr
Merck Executive Director salaries - 68 salaries reported$370,097/yr
LHC Group Executive Director salaries - 68 salaries reported$125,252/yr
Viewing 1 - 20 of 10,000

Top Paying Industries

For an Executive Chef in United States

The top 5 paying industries for an Executive Chef in United States are Retail & Wholesale with a median total pay of $94,911, Nonprofit & NGO with a median total pay of $91,839, Government & Public Administration with a median total pay of $91,434, Human Resources & Staffing with a median total pay of $90,929, and Hotels & Travel Accommodation with a median total pay of $89,444.

IndustryTotal PayTotal Pay Insight
  • Retail & WholesaleRetail & Wholesale$94,911

    7% Higher than other industries

  • Nonprofit & NGONonprofit & NGO$91,839

    4% Higher than other industries

  • Government & Public AdministrationGovernment & Public Administration$91,434

    4% Higher than other industries

  • Human Resources & StaffingHuman Resources & Staffing$90,929

    3% Higher than other industries

  • Hotels & Travel AccommodationHotels & Travel Accommodation$89,444

    2% Higher than other industries

Retail & Wholesale

Top paying companies in Retail & Wholesale for Executive Chef are Nordstrom, Hy-Vee, and Kroger.

NordstromNordstrom$116,030/yr
Hy-VeeHy-Vee$98,284/yr
KrogerKroger$91,538/yr

Glassdoor Economist Pay Overview

What is the pay outlook for Retail & Food Services?

Job openings are high in retail and food services as more Americans spend money at stores and restaurants. While retail and food services wages are lower than the national average, wage growth is higher. Jobs in retail and food services generally require little formal education or training, making these jobs accessible to most job seekers.

Recent Salaries Shared

For executive chef

Salary Share
Anonymously share your pay to help the community

Job Title

Location

Total Pay

Base Pay | Additional Pay

Total Years of Experience

Years at Recent Employer

Submitted

Date or Time

Executive Chef

United States of America

 | 15+ years

$95,000

/yr

Submitted Yesterday

15+ years
Yesterday
Executive Pastry Chef

United States of America

 | 10-14 years

$70,000

/yr

Submitted 2 days ago

10-14 years
2 days ago
Executive Chef

United States of America

 | 7-9 years

$6,000

/mo

Submitted 2 days ago

7-9 years
2 days ago
Executive Chef

United States of America

 | 10-14 years

$22

/hr

Submitted 2 days ago

10-14 years
2 days ago
Executive Chef

United States of America

 | 10-14 years

$85,000

/yr

Submitted 2 days ago

10-14 years
2 days ago

Executive Chef pay FAQ

The average salary for an Executive Chef is $92,251 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 5530 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by an Executive Chef employees in United States.

The highest salary for an Executive Chef in United States is $112,659 per year.

The lowest salary for an Executive Chef in United States is $75,948 per year.

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

Anonymous Glassdoor reviews of executive chef salaries show that 67% are happy with what they're paid. There's the opportunity to grow depending on practical experience and specialist training, with a chance to earn an average of $7,756.65 on top of your base salary.

Beginning the executive chef career path requires you to start from a basic chef job and work your way up over time — those with more experience and higher quality certifications and degrees often earn more than entry-level chefs. The salary as an executive chef ranges from $63,794.23 to $134,573.50, and compensation can heavily depend on your practical skills.

As you don't require any formal training to get into an entry-level chef's position, making more money as an executive chef relies on experience and networking. The more hands-on experience you have in a kitchen working with different cuisines and cooking methods, the more you can make. High-profile restaurants may pay a higher salary, so network with other professionals in the industry to find out about moving into these positions. Choosing to study at a culinary school to gain further qualifications and formal training can boost your abilities in the kitchen and teach you further skills like managing staff and developing recipes — all skills worthy of higher pay.

Negotiating your salary as an executive chef isn't just about proving your ability to make delicious food — you'll need to prove that you've helped the business in other ways, too. Approaching negotiations in your current position or after a new job offer can involve demonstrating how you have saved the company money, improved customer satisfaction, or otherwise benefited the restaurant or business in a measurable way. Also, check the average salary of similar establishments in your area for executive chefs—it's vital you compare what you earn now to what you could earn, and give your manager a specific figure you'd be happy to receive.

Additional Resources

Executive Chef Job Description Template

Salaries

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executive chef