Cook Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated

Cooks in Melbourne earn a median salary of $76,500 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $55,658 and $80,000. That sits 16% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $91,520. Figures are based on 23 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

◆ Specialist role Lower listing volume — 23th percentile in Melbourne ↓ -6 listings vs last month
💰 Cook · Melbourne
ADVERTISED RANGE
$55,658 – $80,000
Median: $76,500
Apr $75k
May $76k
→ Stable

Based on 2-month data — short-term movement only.

Mid level $55,658 – $80,000
Overall $55k–$80k Mid $55k–$80k $53k $59k $65k $71k $76k $82k
⚠ Low confidence 23 listings (-6 vs last month) · 01/06/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from advertised employer bands on Seek.com.au. Figures represent what employers publicly advertise and may differ from actual compensation. Sample size is small — treat figures as indicative.

Where does your salary sit?
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Bottom 10%  $55,658 Median  $76,500 $80,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

Melbourne Cooks earned $76,500 in May, up $1,500 from April across 23 listings (down 6). The 32% spread from $55k to $80k is standard. Melbourne pays more than Brisbane ($68,203) for this role, a $8,297 premium, and is essentially equal to Sydney ($76,150). At 16% below Melbourne's all-roles median, this is below market for a high-cost city.

Take Home Pay (based on median $76,500)

Weekly (net)
~$1,147
Monthly (net)
~$4,970
Annual (net)
~$59,640
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $85,297

Take-home calculated using 2025-26 ATO tax rates, no HECS debt, full Australian residency. Total package adds 11.5% superannuation to base salary. Adjust for your situation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good starting salary for a junior Cook in Melbourne?
Entry-level Cooks in Melbourne earn $55,658 to $76,500 at the mid level. The wide lower bound reflects casual and part-time roles included in the dataset. A Certificate III in Commercial Cookery and experience in a busy licensed kitchen are the standard entry profile.
Is $76,500 a good salary in Melbourne?
At $76,500 and 16% below Melbourne's all-roles median, this is below market for a high-cost city. The Chef role in Melbourne pays $77,500, essentially the same, which reflects the overlapping classification of Cook and Chef in Melbourne's hospitality sector.
How much does a Senior Cook make in Melbourne?
Melbourne Cook roles cap around $80,000. Moving into Chef De Partie ($77,500) and then Sous Chef ($85,000) is the kitchen hierarchy progression. Head Chef ($100,000) is where cooking careers break through the all-roles median in Melbourne.

Other roles in Melbourne

Cook salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Melbourne
Melbourne (this page) $76,500 —
Sydney $76,150 ~same
Brisbane $68,203 -11%

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Data sourced from publicly listed job advertisements. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Seek or any third-party platforms. Salary ranges represent advertised figures and may differ from actual compensation. Updated monthly.