Cook Salary in Brisbane (2026)

Last updated

Cooks in Brisbane earn a median salary of $65,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $50,000 and $80,125. That sits 26% below Brisbane's all-roles median of $87,500. Figures are based on 30 jobs advertised in Brisbane in the last 30 days.

● Moderate demand 42th percentile by listing volume in Brisbane ↓ -2 listings vs last month
💰 Cook · Brisbane
ADVERTISED RANGE
$50,000 – $80,125
Median: $65,000
Jun $63k
Jul $65k
↑ Trending up

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

Mid level $50,000 – $80,125
Overall $50k–$80k Mid $50k–$80k $48k $55k $62k $68k $75k $82k
Moderate confidence 30 listings (-2 vs last month) · 02/08/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 30 job listings for this role and city, all sourced from Seek.com.au. Of those, 30.0% stated a salary directly. The remaining 70.0% 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%  $50,000 Median  $65,000 $80,125  Top 10%

Understanding the Brisbane Market

Brisbane cooks earn $65,000 against $76,000 in Melbourne and $75,000 in Sydney, the largest city gap for any hospitality role in this data. The median rose $1,500 while listings slipped from 32 to 30, so the market is thin rather than moving. Demand sits at the 42nd percentile, the lowest of any Brisbane hospitality role here. With 30 listings and 30% salary disclosure, this is one of the weaker samples in the report and the figures should be treated as directional.

Take Home Pay (based on median $65,000)

Weekly (net)
~$1,003
Monthly (net)
~$4,344
Annual (net)
~$52,133
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $72,475

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 Cook in Brisbane?
Entry is $50,000, typically unqualified kitchen work in pubs, clubs and aged care rather than restaurants. A Certificate III in Commercial Cookery is the main lever and it moves most people toward the chef band at $77,000. Volume catering and aged care employers pay more reliably than hospitality venues at this level.
Is $65,000 a good salary in Brisbane?
No. At $65,000 a cook earns 25.7% below Brisbane's all-roles median of $87,000, with take-home near $1,003 a week. It is also $10,000 behind Melbourne for identical work, making this the weakest cook market in the country. The realistic path forward is qualification rather than negotiation, since chef roles here pay $12,000 more.
How much does a Senior Cook make in Brisbane?
The ceiling is $80,000, which overlaps almost entirely with the chef range and effectively marks the point where the titles converge. Reaching it means running a section or a small kitchen unsupervised. Given the sample size here, treat that ceiling as indicative rather than a firm target.

Other roles in Brisbane

Cook salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Brisbane
Brisbane (this page) $65,000 0%
Melbourne $76,076 +17%
Sydney $75,000 +15%
Perth $70,000 +8%

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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.