Culinary Chef Salary in the United States

Didn't find your job?
Click

How much does a Culinary Chef make?

As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Culinary Chef in the United States is $53,665. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $46,648 to $62,569, with most professionals earning between $40,259 and $70,675.

Search Culinary Chef Jobs the United States

Develop a Job description
Pay Equity
2024 Compensation Trend
Benefits Consulting
Salary range for a Culinary Chef
$46,648 to $62,569
Employers: Find Surveys For This Job
Employers: Price Your Company Jobs
download asset banner
Facing Salary Structure Challenges? Let Our Expert Guide You
The job market is increasingly challenging. Our whitepaper, Navigating the Challenges of Creating Salary Structures, offers guidance on creating salary structures. Provide your phone number and work email to download the full version.
We will handle your contact details in line with our Privacy Policy. If you prefer not to receive marketing emails from Salary.com, you can opt-out out of marketing communications at any time by clicking unsubscribe.

Search Culinary Chef Job Openings

Job Openings for Culinary Chef

Culinary Chef Salary in Major Cities

This chart shows the salary comparison for Culinary Chef between major cities. San Francisco City consistently ranks #1 as of April 01, 2025. Click on the chart to see the detail salary data for Culinary Chef in each city.

Culinary Chef Salary by City

Click to see the salary for Culinary Chef in these major U.S. cities.
City Name Average Salary
San Francisco, CA $67,023
Washington, DC $59,418
Miami, FL $51,562
Chicago, IL $55,458
Boston, MA $59,853
New York, NY $62,193
Dallas, TX $52,994
If you'd like know Culinary Chef Salary in other cities, then please select a city in

Average Salary Range for Culinary Chef

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
46648
62569
53665

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
47049
63396
54189
What is the average salary for Culinary Chef in 2025?
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Culinary Chef in the United States. The base salary for Culinary Chef ranges from $46,648 to $62,569 with the average base salary of $53,665. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $47,049 to $63,396 with the average total cash compensation of $54,189.

View Average Salary for Culinary Chef as table

Average Salary Average Salary Range
Base Salary $53,665 $46,648 - $62,569
Bonus $524 $401 - $827
Total Pay $54,189 $47,049 - $63,396
* Base Salary represents gross income before taxes and deductions. It does not include additional pay such as benefits, bonuses, profit sharing or commissions.
* Total Pay combines base salary, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job.

Estimate Salary for Culinary Chef online for free

Salary.com Estimate Salary Tool provides free, accurate and real-time salary for thousands of careers. Please enter the following pay factors for Culinary Chef, to get a real-time salary target. If you want to get more detailed salary information, please view Professional Salary Report
Select Relevant job experience
  • Select Relevant job experience
  • 0 years
  • 1 years
  • 2 years
  • 3 years
  • 4 years
  • 5 years
  • 6 years
  • 7 years
  • 8 years
  • 9 years
  • 10 years
  • 11 years
  • 12 years
  • 13 years
  • 14 years
  • 15 years
  • 16 years
  • 17 years
  • 18 years
Select person you report to
  • Select person you report to
  • Supervisor
  • Manager
  • Director
  • Senior Management
  • CEO / Board of Directors
  • Other
Select Level of education
  • Select Level of education
  • I have not earned a degree
  • High School Diploma or Tech Certificate
  • Associate's Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree or MBA
  • JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent
Select number of people you manager
  • Select number of people you manager
  • 0
  • 1 - 5
  • 6 - 10
  • 11 - 25
  • 26 - 100
  • 100 +
Your target salary is ?
46648
62569

 

Comments about Culinary Chef

What's the difference between Culinary Chef Asst. Pastry/Bakery and Culinary Chef?
According to our latest salary estimation on April 01, 2025. The average salary of Culinary Chef is $53,665, and the average salary of Culinary Chef Asst. Pastry/Bakery is $35,096. The average salary of Culinary Chef Asst. Pastry/Bakery is lower than Culinary Chef. ( 2025-03-25 salary.com )
I am a Culinary Chef, which location’s salary is higher, Riverside, CA or Bossier City, LA?
Riverside, CA typically sees higher pay than Bossier City, LA for Culinary Chef. a Culinary Chef Salary in Riverside, CA is $56,622 as of April 01, 2025; a Culinary Chef Salary in Bossier City, LA is $49,233 as of April 01, 2025. ( 2025-03-25 salary.com )

Culinary Chef Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the salary of a Culinary Chef vary from city to city?
The cost of living is tied to salaries. If the expenses are higher in a particular city, then the wage level will be higher as well to afford the people can opportunity to live there. This is why you're always going to make more money in New York City for example, than in a small town. ( 2025-03-25 salary.com )
What are the Pay Factors for Culinary Chef?
Salary ranges for a Culinary Chef can vary widely, depending on the city and several other pay factors, including (but not limited to) education level, certifications, additional skills, and work experience. Click here to view Eight Factors That Can Affect Your Pay ( 2025-03-25 salary.com )
How the Pay Factors Influence Your Pay?
Salaries are ultimately dictated by the position being applied to, and hiring company, but there are several important pay factors that come into play based on your individual history that could impact your value to the company. Salary.com's Personal Salary Report will analyze these factors for you to help you maximize your earning potential. ( 2025-03-25 salary.com )

Recently searched related titles: Senior Sous Chef, Fashion Graphic Designer, Client Support Executive

Learn more about: Compensation Packages, Employee Flight Risk, Gender Pay Gap, Job Openings for This Role

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

Last Update: April 01, 2025