Starting salary for chefs in the UK 2026: A Graduate's Guide

Salary Insights for Aspiring Chefs in the UK

According to our data, the average starting salary for chefs in the UK stands at £39,140, with a range of £12,500 to £67,500 across 25 submissions. This is a significant increase from the average mid-level chef salary, which is £29,786 based on 7 entries.

If you're looking to specialise in a specific area, senior chef roles come with an average salary of £44,722 based on 9 entries, while lead chef roles average £56,000 across 2 entries. Meanwhile, junior chefs can expect an average starting salary of £19,000 based on 4 entries, while director-level chefs can earn up to £59,833 based on 3 entries.

Regional Salary Variations in the UK

As you explore different regions in the UK, the average starting salary for chefs varies — with Wales averaging £42,532 across 125 entries, and Scotland averaging £49,702 across 136 entries. For comparison, the average salary for electricians is £43,214 based on 21 entries, while plumbers average £35,111 based on 18 entries.

Gender Pay Gap in the UK Chef Industry

Interestingly, our data reveals a slight pay gap between male and female chefs, with female chefs averaging £36,364, while male chefs average £41,545.

Getting Started with Your UK Salary Career

To get started with your UK salary career, we recommend checking how you compare to the national average by exploring our salary database, using our Am I Underpaid? tool to see if you're earning a fair wage, and comparing roles using our compare tool.

Don't forget to submit your salary to help us build a more accurate picture of UK salaries here, and check out our data on the gender pay gap to see how your industry compares.