Chef Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated

Chefs in Melbourne earn a median salary of $75,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $63,924 and $81,651. That sits 21% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 48 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

— Moderate demand 70th percentile by listing volume in Melbourne ↓ -7 listings vs last month
💰 Chef · Melbourne
ADVERTISED RANGE
$63,924 – $81,651
Median: $75,000
May $77k
Jun $75k
↓ Trending down

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

Mid level $64,220 – $81,802
Overall $63k–$81k Mid $64k–$81k $62k $66k $70k $75k $79k $84k
Moderate confidence 48 listings (-7 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.

Where does your salary sit?
Enter your salary to see where you rank.
Bottom 10%  $63,924 Median  $75,000 $81,651  Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

Melbourne, for all its dining reputation, is the cheapest major market for chefs at a $75k median, level with Brisbane and below Adelaide ($80k), Perth ($79.4k) and Sydney ($77.5k). The range is unusually tight ($63.9k to $81.7k, a 24% spread), which reflects award-anchored kitchen pay more than a booming labour market. Demand cooled (48 listings, down from 55) and the median dropped $2.5k over the month. The clear pay ladder sits above: Head Chef $93.75k, Sous Chef $82.5k, so title, not city, is what moves a chef's earnings.

Take Home Pay (based on median $75,000)

Weekly (net)
~$1,128
Monthly (net)
~$4,888
Annual (net)
~$58,658
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $83,625

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 Melbourne?
The band starts around $64k for chefs early in their section experience. Moving toward the $81.7k top comes from station seniority and venue tier: running a section solo in a hatted or high-volume kitchen, holding a Cert III or IV in Commercial Cookery, and reliability under service pressure. A chef who can cover multiple sections commands the upper band.
Is $75,000 a good salary in Melbourne?
No. At $75k the median sits 21% below Melbourne's $95k all-roles median and nets about $59k after tax, tight for the hours kitchens demand. This is normal for the trade rather than a specific concern, but chef pay is structurally low relative to the workload. The upside is a defined ladder: Sous Chef ($82.5k) and Head Chef ($93.75k) are the roles where cooking finally pays.
How much does a Senior Chef make in Melbourne?
The range caps around $81.7k for the most senior chef-de-partie work, but the real senior tier is retitled: Sous Chef ($82.5k) and Head Chef ($93.75k). The move up is from cooking a section to running the pass, managing kitchen labour, ordering and menu costing. Kitchen management and cost control, not just technique, are what carry a chef into the higher-paid titles.

Other roles in Melbourne

Chef salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Melbourne
Melbourne (this page) $75,000 —
Adelaide $80,000 +7%
Perth $79,375 +6%
Sydney $77,500 +3%
Brisbane $75,000 ~same

Uncover hidden salary ranges on Seek

Paste any job URL to bypass the "competitive salary" text and see the exact employer budget instantly.

Check a Listing Install Extension

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.