Cook Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated

Cooks in Sydney earn a median salary of $76,150 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $50,000 and $81,750. That sits 16% below Sydney's all-roles median of $90,726. Figures are based on 24 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Sydney in the last 30 days.

— Moderate demand 28th percentile by listing volume in Sydney ↓ -8 listings vs last month
💰 Cook · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$50,000 – $81,750
Median: $76,150
Apr $64k
May $76k
↑ Trending up

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

Mid level $50,000 – $80,000
Overall $50k–$81k Mid $50k–$80k $48k $55k $62k $69k $77k $84k
⚠ Low confidence 24 listings (-8 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.

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Bottom 10%  $50,000 Median  $76,150 $81,750  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

Sydney Cooks earned $76,150 in May, up $11,303 from April (a significant month-on-month jump) across 24 listings (down 8). The large increase from April may reflect a compositional shift in the sample (fewer lower-end listings) rather than a genuine market movement, given the small and shrinking sample size. Treat this figure as directional. The p90 of $80,000 suggests the upper ceiling is modest. At 16% below Sydney's all-roles median, this is below market.

Take Home Pay (based on median $76,150)

Weekly (net)
~$1,143
Monthly (net)
~$4,951
Annual (net)
~$59,411
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $84,907

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 Sydney?
Entry-level Cooks in Sydney earn $50,000 to $77,300 at the mid level (21 listings). The wide range reflects the mix of casual and part-time institutional cooking roles (lower end) and permanent commercial kitchen roles (upper end) in the dataset.
Is $76,150 a good salary in Sydney?
At $76,150 and 16% below Sydney's all-roles median, this is below market for one of Australia's most expensive cities. The $11,303 jump from April is notable but may reflect sample composition change rather than real wage growth. Treat the figure as directional. Restaurant Managers in Sydney earn $88,750.
How much does a Senior Cook make in Sydney?
Sydney Cook roles cap around $80,000 at the p90. The progression to Chef classifications (Chef De Partie at $80,000, Sous Chef at $85,000, Head Chef at $100,000) is the standard career and salary path from this entry-level kitchen role.

Other roles in Sydney

Cook salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Sydney
Sydney (this page) $76,150 —
Melbourne $76,500 ~same
Brisbane $68,203 -10%

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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.