Sous Chef Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated 01/06/2026

Sous Chefs in Melbourne earn a median salary of $85,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $80,000 and $96,000. That sits 7% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $91,520. Figures are based on 25 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

— Moderate demand 36th percentile by listing volume in Melbourne ↓ -3 listings vs last month

ADVERTISED RANGE

$80,000 – $96,000

Median: $85,000

Apr $82k

May $85k

↑ Trending up

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

Mid level

$80,000 – $90,000

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% $80,000 Median $85,000 $96,000 Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

Sous Chefs in Melbourne earned $85,000 at the median in May, up $2,500 from April, with 25 listings (down 3). The small upward move while volume fell slightly is a mildly positive signal. At 7.1% below Melbourne's all-roles median, the Sous Chef role earns a notable discount for a role requiring extensive culinary training and unsociable hours. The tight 19% spread ($80,000-$90,000) signals a highly compressed pay band with virtually no room for negotiation above the $90,000 ceiling within the title.

Take Home Pay (based on median $85,000)

Weekly (net)

~$1,254

Monthly (net)

~$5,434

Annual (net)

~$65,208

Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $94,775

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 Sous Chef in Melbourne?

Sous Chefs starting in Melbourne earn around $80,000 at the p10. Most roles at this level require a commercial cookery qualification plus five or more years of kitchen experience, including at least two in a sous chef or senior cook capacity. Fine dining, hotel, and large-format hospitality environments are the primary hirers at this level.

Is $85,000 a good salary in Melbourne?

Marginally below market. At $85,000, a Melbourne Sous Chef earns 7.1% below the city's all-roles median. For a role with early starts, late finishes, split shifts, and leadership of a kitchen team, the pay reflects hospitality's persistent compensation challenge. The $90,000 ceiling confirms there is very limited room above this rate within the Sous Chef classification in Melbourne.

How much does a Senior Sous Chef make in Melbourne?

Experienced Sous Chefs in Melbourne reach $90,000 at the p90. The ceiling is the defining constraint: to earn above $90,000, the standard progression is a move to Head Chef, which commands $100,000 at the Melbourne median. The Sous Chef title is effectively an income ceiling as well as a career stepping stone.

Other roles in Melbourne

Sous Chef salaries in other cities

City	Median salary	vs Melbourne
Melbourne (this page)	$85,000	—
Sydney	$85,000	~same

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