Cook Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated

Cooks in Melbourne earn a median salary of $76,076 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $52,364 and $80,000. That sits 16% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $90,000. Figures are based on 31 jobs advertised in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

● Moderate demand 46th percentile by listing volume in Melbourne
💰 Cook · Melbourne
ADVERTISED RANGE
$52,364 – $80,000
Median: $76,076
Mid level $52,364 – $80,050
Overall $52k–$80k Mid $52k–$80k $50k $57k $63k $69k $76k $82k
Moderate confidence 31 listings · 02/08/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 31 job listings for this role and city, all sourced from Seek.com.au. Of those, 65.6% stated a salary directly. The remaining 34.4% 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%  $52,364 Median  $76,076 $80,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

Melbourne is the best-paying cook market in this data at $76,000, ahead of Sydney at $75,000, Perth at $70,000 and Brisbane well back at $65,000. There is no June comparison for this role, so no trend can be read yet. At 66% salary disclosure the figure is well evidenced despite only 31 listings. Notably, cooks here earn only $3,000 less than qualified chefs at $79,000, which is the narrowest gap between the two titles in the country.

Take Home Pay (based on median $76,076)

Weekly (net)
~$1,142
Monthly (net)
~$4,947
Annual (net)
~$59,363
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $84,824

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 Melbourne?
Entry is $52,000, typically unqualified kitchen work in pubs, clubs, aged care and institutional catering. A Certificate III in Commercial Cookery is the main lever, though in Melbourne it is worth only about $3,000 given how close cook and chef pay sit. Volume catering and aged care employers pay more reliably than restaurants at this level.
Is $76,076 a good salary in Melbourne?
Not really, though it is the best available. At $76,000 a cook earns 15.5% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $90,000, with take-home near $1,142 a week against high living costs. It does lead the country for this role, and it sits within $3,000 of qualified chef pay. That compression means formal qualification adds less here than anywhere else.
How much does a Senior Cook make in Melbourne?
The ceiling is $80,000, which sits below the chef ceiling of $85,000 but overlaps almost entirely. Running a section or a small kitchen unsupervised is what reaches it. Given how little the chef qualification adds in Melbourne, moving to a higher-paying venue type matters more than credentialing.

Other roles in Melbourne

Cook salaries in other cities

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

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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.