How much does a Chef make hourly in the United States? The average hourly wage for a Chef in the United States is $26 as of April 01, 2025, but the salary range typically falls between $22 and $30. Hourly rate can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target. 

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Chef

Review the job openings and experience requirements for the Chef job to confirm that it is the job you are seeking.

See user submitted job responsibilities for Chef.

Job Openings for Chef
The Den - MISSOULA , MT
Line Cooks will be responsible for plating dishes and completing basic food prepping tasks for a restaurant. Their main duties include preparing and cooking foo
- 4 days ago
The Den - MISSOULA , MT
Line Cooks will be responsible for plating dishes and completing basic food prepping tasks for a restaurant. Their main duties include preparing and cooking foo
- 9 days ago
The Den - MISSOULA , MT
Line Cooks will be responsible for plating dishes and completing basic food prepping tasks for a restaurant. Their main duties include preparing and cooking foo
- 19 days ago
Knott's Berry Farm - BUENA PARK , CA
Overview. The Executive Chef is responsible for the efficient and effective management of all food & beverage outlets working alongside the VP and/or Director o
- 132 days ago
Riderwood Village by Erickson Senior Living - SILVER SPRING , MD
Location. Riderwood Village by Erickson Senior Living. Join our team as an Executive Chef who brings their passion for great food, teamwork, and culinary experi
- 21 days ago
Riderwood Village by Erickson Senior Living - SILVER SPRING , MD
Location. Riderwood Village by Erickson Senior Living. Join our team as an Executive Chef who brings their passion for great food, teamwork, and culinary experi
- 21 days ago

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Understand the total hourly compensation opportunity for a Chef, hourly wage plus other pay elements

Average Hourly Wage

Core compensation

 
 
 
22
30
26

Average Total Hourly Cash Compensation

Includes base and short-term incentives

 
 
 
23
30
26
These charts show the average hourly wage (core compensation), as well as the average total hourly cash compensation for the job of Chef in the United States. The average hourly rate for Chef ranges from $22 to $30 with the average hourly pay of $26. The total hourly cash compensation, which includes base and short-term incentives, can vary anywhere from $23 to $30 with the average total hourly cash compensation of $26.

Discover how your pay is adjusted for skills, experience, and other factors

How much should you be paid?

For a real-time salary target, tell us more about your role in the four categories below.

22
30

 

Jobs with a similar salary range to Chef : Apprentice Chef, Saute Chef, Demi Chef