Chef Salary in Adelaide (2026)

Last updated 30/09/2026

Chefs in Adelaide earn a median salary of $80,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $63,500 and $88,222. That is broadly in line with Adelaide's all-roles median of $80,749. Figures are based on 38 jobs advertised in Adelaide in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 23% of roles by listing volume in Adelaide ↑ +1 listings vs last month

ADVERTISED RANGE

$63,500 – $88,222

Median: $80,000

Aug $80k

Sep $80k

→ Stable

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

Mid level

$63,500 – $88,222

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 38 job listings for this role and city, all sourced from Seek.com.au. Of those, 64.1% stated a salary directly. The remaining 35.9% carried a range estimated from the listing, so this median blends advertised and estimated pay. Figures represent what employers advertise and may differ from actual compensation.

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Bottom 10% $63,500 Median $80,000 $88,222 Top 10%

Understanding the Adelaide Market

At 64% salary disclosure this is one of the best-evidenced figures in the Adelaide data, and it shows chefs at $80,000 with the median unchanged across the month. Adelaide now ties Brisbane and Perth for the highest chef pay in the country, ahead of Sydney at $79,000 and Melbourne at $75,000. Listings were flat at 38. The role sits within a percentage point of the Adelaide all-roles median, which no other hospitality role in this report manages.

Take Home Pay (based on median $80,000)

Weekly (net)

~$1,191

Monthly (net)

~$5,161

Annual (net)

~$61,933

Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $89,200

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 Chef in Adelaide?

Entry is $63,000, which in practice means a qualified chef in a mid-volume kitchen rather than an apprentice. Section experience and a Certificate III are what move someone up the band. Head chef roles in Adelaide pay $90,000, so unlike Melbourne the kitchen ladder here has a real step at the top.

Is $80,000 a good salary in Adelaide?

Effectively average, which is a strong result for hospitality. At $80,000 a chef sits 0.9% below Adelaide's all-roles median, with take-home near $1,191 a week and the lowest living costs of the mainland capitals. It also matches the best chef pay in the country. On take-home this is the strongest chef market in Australia this month.

How much does a Senior Chef make in Adelaide?

The ceiling is $88,000, and head chef roles at $90,000 sit just above it, so the two bands meet. Menu costing, supplier management and rostering are what separate head chef work from senior cooking. That $10,000 step is larger than the equivalent move in Melbourne, where the whole kitchen ladder spans a few thousand dollars.

Other roles in Adelaide

Chef salaries in other cities

City	Median salary	vs Adelaide
Adelaide (this page)	$80,000	0%
Brisbane	$80,000	~same
Perth	$80,000	~same
Sydney	$79,750	~same
Gold Coast	$78,250	~same

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