Deep dive: chef salary in the UK — what to expect at every level

Deep dive: chef salary in the UK — what to expect at every level

Our data reveals that the average salary for a chef in the UK is £38,692, ranging from £16,000 to £67,500 based on 13 submissions.

Salary ranges by level

Achieving different levels of experience can significantly impact your salary as a chef. Our data shows that:

Junior chefs can expect an average salary of £16,250, based on just 2 entries.

Mid-level chefs have an average salary of £25,667, based on 3 entries.

Senior chefs average £42,800, based on 5 entries.

Lead chefs can earn an average of £56,000, based on 2 entries.

Director-level chefs command the highest salaries, with an average of £67,500, based on just 1 entry.

Regional variations

Chef salaries also vary depending on the region. Our data shows that:

In the East Midlands, the overall average salary is £48,439, based on 86 entries.

In Yorkshire, the overall average salary is £43,688, based on 56 entries.

Comparison to other roles

For comparison, other construction and engineering professionals have average salaries of:

Electricians: £40,385, based on 13 entries.

Plumbers: £39,750, based on 10 entries.

Quantity Surveyors: £40,214, based on 7 entries.

Site Managers: £52,357, based on 7 entries.

Civil Engineers: £56,137, based on 7 entries.

Architects: £44,500, based on 9 entries.

Gender pay gap

Interestingly, our data also reveals a slight gender pay gap in the chef profession, with:

Females averaging £35,900, and males averaging £37,000.

If you're a chef looking to understand your salary in relation to others, or simply curious about what you could be earning, we recommend checking out our salary explorer tool. This will give you a better understanding of the market and help you make informed decisions about your career.

Additionally, you can use our Am I Underpaid? tool to compare your salary to industry standards, and our salary comparison tool to see how your salary stacks up against others in your profession.

Lastly, if you have a salary to share, please consider submitting it to our platform via the submit your salary page.

Remember, salary transparency is key to achieving fair pay, so let's work together to create a more informed and equitable job market.