As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for an Assistant Chef in the United States is $52,100. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $45,900 to $58,700, with most professionals earning between $40,255 and $64,709.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $58,700 | $4,892 | $1,129 | $28 |
| Average | $52,100 | $4,342 | $1,002 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,900 | $3,825 | $883 | $22 |
An entry-level Assistant Chef with less than 1 year of experience earns about $49,787. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $50,064. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $50,990. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $53,282, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $54,563.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Assistant Chef | $49,787 |
| Intermediate Level Assistant Chef | $50,064 |
| Senior Level Assistant Chef | $50,990 |
| Specialist Level Assistant Chef | $53,282 |
| Expert Level Assistant Chef | $54,563 |
| Entry Level | 4% |
| Mid Level | 4% |
| Senior Level | 2% |
| Top Level | 2% |
| Experienced | 5% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Assistant Chef compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $43,480 in 2023 to approximately $43,221 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Assistant Chef salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
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| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $52,100 | 67.8% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $3,986 | 5.2% | ||
| 401K/403B | $2,188 | 2.8% | ||
| Disability | $1,042 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 10.9% | ||
| Pension | $2,813 | 3.7% | ||
| Time Off | $6,412 | 8.3% | ||
| Total Compensation | $76,894 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 2.1% |
| High School | 23.5% |
| Associates | 53.8% |
| Bachelors | 19.9% |
| Masters | 0.6% |
What Am I Worth?
The highest paying chef jobs include Executive Chef with an average salary of $95,302 and Food Service Director at $102,175. However, for Assistant Chefs, the salary ranges from $45,800 to $61,500, with a mid-salary of $52,800. While Assistant Chefs earn less than top positions, they play a crucial role in the culinary industry.
Assistant chefs typically earn between $45,800 and $61,500 annually, with a mid-salary of $52,800. Factors such as location, education, and experience can influence these figures. Assistant chefs in areas with a higher cost of living may see salaries on the higher end of this range.
An assistant chef, often referred to as a sous chef or deputy chef, serves as the second-in-command in the kitchen hierarchy, reporting directly to the head chef or executive chef. The salary for an assistant chef typically ranges from $45,800 to $61,500, with a mid-range salary of $52,800, reflecting their vital role in kitchen operations.
An assistant chef supports the head chef in various culinary settings, managing inventory and ensuring food safety and cleanliness. They assist in food preparation and other kitchen tasks. The salary for an assistant chef typically ranges from $45,800 to $61,500, with a mid-range salary of $52,800, reflecting their vital role in the kitchen.
Chef assistants in the US typically earn between $45,800 and $61,500 annually. The average salary is around $52,800. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and location, with top earners making up to $61,500.
The highest paying states for chefs vary, but cities like New York, NY, lead with salaries around $109,584. For Assistant Chefs, the salary range is between $45,800 and $61,500, with a mid-salary of $52,800. Other notable cities include San Diego, CA, and Las Vegas, NV, where salaries are also competitive.
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.
