Chef Salary in Adelaide (2026)

Last updated

Chefs in Adelaide earn a median salary of $80,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $65,000 and $82,500. That is broadly in line with Adelaide's all-roles median of $80,000. Figures are based on 32 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Adelaide in the last 30 days.

— Moderate demand 61th percentile by listing volume in Adelaide ↑ +1 listings vs last month
💰 Chef · Adelaide
ADVERTISED RANGE
$65,000 – $82,500
Median: $80,000
May $78k
Jun $80k
↑ Trending up

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

Mid level $65,000 – $82,500
Overall $65k–$82k Mid $65k–$82k $63k $67k $71k $76k $80k $84k
Moderate confidence 32 listings (+1 vs last month) · 05/07/2026

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.

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Bottom 10%  $65,000 Median  $80,000 $82,500  Top 10%

Understanding the Adelaide Market

Adelaide chefs earn $80k, matching the city's all-roles median exactly and edging out every other capital for the role: Perth ($79k), Sydney ($77.5k), Brisbane and Melbourne ($75k each). The band is also the tightest in this batch at 22%, from $65k to $82.5k, because kitchen pay tracks award structures closely. The median rose $2k month on month on steady demand. For a hospitality role, sitting level with the city median is a strong result.

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?
A commis or early-career chef in Adelaide starts near the $65k floor. Movement toward the $82.5k top comes from station seniority and venue type: fine-dining and hotel kitchens pay above casual cafes, and a chef who can run a section unsupervised through a full service commands more. The band is narrow, so the jumps are measured in a few thousand dollars.
Is $80,000 a good salary in Adelaide?
Yes, unusually so for hospitality. At $80k the chef median matches Adelaide's all-roles median exactly, which almost never happens for kitchen work, and nets around $62k after tax that goes further in Adelaide than in Sydney. This is one of the better-value chef markets in the country. The tight band is the trade-off: little upside variance.
How much does a Senior Chef make in Adelaide?
There is no separate senior tier here, and the $82.5k top of the band is the practical ceiling for the title. The real step up is to Sous Chef or Head Chef, where menu ownership, ordering, and running a brigade lift the pay. Moving into a hotel or high-end venue, rather than casual dining, is where the numbers climb.

Chef salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Adelaide
Adelaide (this page) $80,000 —
Perth $79,375 ~same
Sydney $77,500 -3%
Brisbane $75,000 -6%
Melbourne $75,000 -6%

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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.