The salary of a Head Chef in the United States varies depending on several factors, including experience, location, education level, marketing trend and company sizes.
As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Head Chef in the United States is $85,400. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $75,657 to a high of $106,415, with most professionals earning between $80,300 and $96,400.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $96,400 | $8,033 | $1,854 | $46 |
| Average | $85,400 | $7,117 | $1,642 | $41 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,300 | $6,692 | $1,544 | $39 |
An entry-level Head Chef with less than 1 year of experience earns about $83,497. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $83,725. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $84,258. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $84,867, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $86,549.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Head Chef | $83,497 |
| Intermediate Level Head Chef | $83,725 |
| Senior Level Head Chef | $84,258 |
| Specialist Level Head Chef | $84,867 |
| Expert Level Head Chef | $86,549 |
| Entry Level | 2% |
| Mid Level | 2% |
| Senior Level | 1% |
| Top Level | 1% |
| Experienced | 1% |
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 Head Chef compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $84,154 in 2023 to approximately $84,541 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Head Chef salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Head Chef information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Head Chef job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Head Chef and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $85,400 | 70.8% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $6,533 | 5.4% | ||
| 401K/403B | $3,587 | 3.0% | ||
| Disability | $1,708 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 6.9% | ||
| Pension | $4,612 | 3.8% | ||
| Time Off | $10,511 | 8.7% | ||
| Total Compensation | $120,702 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.4% |
| High School | 24.8% |
| Associates | 45.3% |
| Bachelors | 23.3% |
| Masters | 4.2% |
| Doctorate | 1.0% |
What Am I Worth?
Determining the number one chef in America is subjective and varies by personal taste and culinary style. However, top chefs often earn competitive salaries, with Head Chefs typically making between $86,800 and $114,200 annually, depending on experience and location. Notable chefs like Thomas Keller and Daniel Boulud are frequently mentioned among the best.
Executive chefs, often referred to as head chefs, are among the highest-paid culinary professionals. They lead upscale restaurants, hotels, and large establishments, earning salaries that typically range from $86,800 to $114,200, with a median salary of $99,400. Their leadership role comes with significant financial rewards in the culinary industry.
A 5-star chef in the USA typically earns between $86,800 and $114,200, with a median salary of around $99,400. While experienced chefs at high-end establishments can exceed $100,000, the average salary for chefs in the country is approximately $55,000.
An executive chef, also known as a head chef or master chef, is the highest-ranking position in a kitchen. This role oversees all kitchen operations rather than focusing solely on cooking. The salary for a head chef typically ranges from $86,800 to $114,200, with a mid-salary of $99,400, reflecting the significant responsibilities of this position.
As of now, Head Chefs at fancy restaurants can expect to earn between $86,800 and $114,200 annually, with a median salary of around $99,400. This translates to an hourly wage of approximately $41.67 to $54.88, or weekly earnings ranging from $1,669 to $2,195.
Gordon Ramsay's head chefs typically earn between $86,800 and $114,200 annually, with a median salary of around $99,400. This range reflects the competitive nature of the culinary industry and the expertise required for such high-level positions.
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.
