▼31%
$54,935
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
/ year
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
10%
$39k
MEDIAN
$55k
90%
$81k
The average salary for a Head Chef is $54,935 in 2025
Base Salary
$39k - $81k
Bonus
$206 - $10k
Profit Sharing
$5 - $22k
Commission
$3k - $7k
Total Pay
$32k - $76k
Is Average Head Chef Salary your job title? Find out what you should be paid
Use our tool to get a personalized report on your market worth.What's this?
EXPLORE BY:
Featured Content
‹
Remote Work
New research shows how to set pay for remote employees
Gender Pay Gap
New research shows that each woman experiences the disparity of gender pay gap in different ways, depending on her position, age, race and education.
Compensation Best Practices Report
From compensation planning to variable pay to pay equity analysis, we surveyed 4,900+ organizations on how they manage compensation.
Salary Budget Survey Report
See how organizations are shifting their salary budgets this year.
Retention Report
Get strategies you can use to retain top talent and learn how impactful employee retention really is.
Variable Pay Playbook
Before you decide whether variable pay is right for your org, get a deeper understanding of the variable pay options and the cultural impact of pay choices.
›
What is the Pay by Experience Level for Head Chefs?
What Do Head Chefs Do?
Find your market worth – how it works:
How do Head Chefs Rate Their Jobs?
Based on 55 responses, the job of Head Chef has received a job satisfaction rating of 3.65 out of 5. On average, Head Chefs are highly satisfied with their job.
Common Health Benefits for a Head Chef
Medical
37%
Dental
27%
Vision
23%
None
63%
Gender Breakdown for Head Chefs
Male
76.1%
Female
23.4%
Prefer to self-define
0.5%
This data is based on 188 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
FAQs About Head Chefs
What is the highest pay for Head Chefs?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Head Chef is $81k / year
What is the lowest pay for Head Chefs?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Head Chef is $39k / year
How can Head Chefs increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Head Chef is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Head Chef that oversees more junior Head Chefs, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.