Chef Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated

Chefs in Sydney earn a median salary of $79,750 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $60,000 and $88,436. That sits 16% below Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 74 jobs advertised in Sydney in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 15% of roles by listing volume in Sydney ↑ +13 listings vs last month
💰 Chef · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$60,000 – $88,436
Median: $79,750
Aug $79k
Sep $79k
→ Stable

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

Mid level $60,000 – $85,000
Overall $60k–$88k Mid $60k–$85k $58k $64k $71k $77k $84k $91k
Moderate confidence 74 listings (+13 vs last month) · 30/09/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 74 job listings for this role and city, all sourced from Seek.com.au. Of those, 47.3% stated a salary directly. The remaining 52.7% 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.

Where does your salary sit?
Enter your salary to see where you rank.
Bottom 10%  $60,000 Median  $79,750 $88,436  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

The median rose $710 to $79,000 with listings up from 61 to 74. Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth all pay $80,000, so Sydney sits just below the top of the national band, ahead of the Gold Coast at $78,000 and Melbourne at $75,000. The Sydney kitchen ladder is legible: cook at $66,000, chef at $79,000, chef de partie at $80,000, sous chef at $85,000 and restaurant manager at $86,000. At 47% salary disclosure the figure is moderately supported.

Take Home Pay (based on median $79,750)

Weekly (net)
~$1,188
Monthly (net)
~$5,147
Annual (net)
~$61,769
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $88,921

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 Sydney?
Entry is $60,000, which in practice means a qualified chef in a mid-volume kitchen rather than an apprentice. Cook roles at $66,000 overlap with the bottom of this band. Section experience and a Certificate III are what move someone toward the $88,000 ceiling.
Is $79,750 a good salary in Sydney?
No. At $79,000 a chef earns 16.1% below Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000, with take-home near $1,188 a week against the highest living costs in this report. Three cities pay $1,000 more at considerably lower cost. Sous chef at $85,000 and restaurant management at $86,000 are the steps that actually move the number.
How much does a Senior Chef make in Sydney?
The ceiling is $88,000, which sits above the sous chef median of $85,000, so a well-placed chef can out-earn a typical sous chef. Restaurant management at $86,000 is the adjacent route out of the kitchen. Head chef and executive chef roles sit above this band.

Other roles in Sydney

Chef salaries in other cities

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