Cook Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated

Cooks in Sydney earn a median salary of $66,196 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $57,304 and $84,712. That sits 30% below Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 51 jobs advertised in Sydney in the last 30 days.

● Moderate demand 73th percentile by listing volume in Sydney ↑ +11 listings vs last month
💰 Cook · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$57,304 – $84,712
Median: $66,196
Aug $65k
Sep $66k
→ Stable

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

Mid level $57,304 – $84,712
Overall $57k–$84k Mid $57k–$84k $55k $61k $68k $74k $80k $87k
Moderate confidence 51 listings (+11 vs last month) · 30/09/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 51 job listings for this role and city, 98.2% sourced from Seek.com.au and the rest from government job boards and employer career sites. Of those, 45.5% stated a salary directly. The remaining 54.5% 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%  $57,304 Median  $66,196 $84,712  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

The median rose $1,196 to $66,000 with listings up from 40 to 51, making Sydney the second-best cook market behind Perth at $67,000, with Brisbane and Melbourne at $65,000. The 41% spread running $57,000 to $84,000 reflects the range from institutional catering to restaurant kitchens. At 46% salary disclosure the figure is moderately supported. The Sydney kitchen ladder runs from cook at $66,000 to restaurant manager at $86,000.

Take Home Pay (based on median $66,196)

Weekly (net)
~$1,017
Monthly (net)
~$4,408
Annual (net)
~$52,898
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $73,808

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 Sydney?
Entry is $57,000, typically unqualified kitchen work in pubs, clubs, aged care and institutional catering. A Certificate III in Commercial Cookery is the main lever, worth about $13,000 given chefs here earn $79,000. Volume catering and aged care employers pay more reliably than restaurants at this level.
Is $66,196 a good salary in Sydney?
No. At $66,000 a cook earns 30.3% below Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000, with take-home near $1,017 a week against the highest living costs in this report. Perth pays $1,000 more at a lower cost base. Within the Sydney kitchen ladder there is real progression available, since chef roles pay $13,000 more.
How much does a Senior Cook make in Sydney?
The ceiling is $84,000, which overlaps with the chef band and reaches above the chef de partie median of $80,000. Running a section or a small kitchen unsupervised is what reaches it. Sydney's kitchen hierarchy rewards qualification more than most cities, so the Certificate III is worth pursuing.

Other roles in Sydney

Cook salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Sydney
Sydney (this page) $66,196 0%
Perth $67,500 ~same
Brisbane $65,306 ~same
Melbourne $65,000 ~same

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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.