Chef Salary in Brisbane (2026)

Last updated 02/08/2026

Chefs in Brisbane earn a median salary of $77,500 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $63,279 and $82,180. That sits 11% below Brisbane's all-roles median of $87,500. Figures are based on 65 jobs advertised in Brisbane in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 21% of roles by listing volume in Brisbane ↑ +18 listings vs last month

ADVERTISED RANGE

$63,279 – $82,180

Median: $77,500

Jun $75k

Jul $77k

↑ Trending up

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

Mid level

$63,279 – $82,180

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 65 job listings for this role and city, all sourced from Seek.com.au. Of those, 54.4% stated a salary directly. The remaining 45.6% 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% $63,279 Median $77,500 $82,180 Top 10%

Understanding the Brisbane Market

Brisbane pays chefs less than every other capital in this data, $77,000 against $80,000 in Sydney, Perth and Newcastle. The gap is small but consistent, and the 24% spread is narrow enough that there is little room to negotiate past it. Listings grew sharply from 47 to 65 and the median rose $2,500, so demand is recovering even if the rate is not competitive nationally. At 54% salary disclosure this figure is better supported than most hospitality data.

Take Home Pay (based on median $77,500)

Weekly (net)

~$1,160

Monthly (net)

~$5,025

Annual (net)

~$60,296

Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $86,412

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 Brisbane?

Entry is $63,000, which in practice means a qualified chef in a mid-volume kitchen rather than an apprentice. Cook roles at $65,000 overlap almost entirely with the bottom of this range, so the titles blur at the junior end. Section experience, particularly larder and sauce, plus a Certificate III, are what move someone toward $80,000.

Is $77,500 a good salary in Brisbane?

Not really. At $77,000 a chef earns 11.4% below Brisbane's all-roles median of $87,000, with take-home near $1,160 a week. The role also pays less here than in any other capital, so Brisbane is the weakest chef market in the country this month. Head chef roles at $87,000 are the realistic target, though that is still only city-average pay.

How much does a Senior Chef make in Brisbane?

The ceiling is $82,000, which is remarkably tight and sits below what head chefs earn at $87,000. That compression is the story: seniority inside the chef title is worth very little, and the money is in the retitle. Executive chef and multi-venue roles sit above this range but appear too rarely in Brisbane listings to report a reliable figure.

Other roles in Brisbane

Chef salaries in other cities

City	Median salary	vs Brisbane
Brisbane (this page)	$77,500	0%
Newcastle	$80,000	+3%
Perth	$80,000	+3%
Sydney	$80,000	+3%
Melbourne	$79,500	+3%

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