Cook Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated

Cooks in Sydney earn a median salary of $75,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $55,000 and $82,413. That sits 21% below Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 54 jobs advertised in Sydney in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 25% of roles by listing volume in Sydney ↑ +16 listings vs last month
💰 Cook · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$55,000 – $82,413
Median: $75,000
Jun $70k
Jul $75k
↑ Trending up

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

Mid level $55,000 – $82,413
Overall $55k–$82k Mid $55k–$82k $53k $59k $65k $72k $78k $84k
Moderate confidence 54 listings (+16 vs last month) · 02/08/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 54 job listings for this role and city, all sourced from Seek.com.au. Of those, 44.4% stated a salary directly. The remaining 55.6% 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%  $55,000 Median  $75,000 $82,413  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

The median rose $5,000 to $75,000 and listings grew sharply from 38 to 54, making Sydney the second-best cook market behind Melbourne at $76,000. Brisbane trails badly at $65,000. The 37% spread running $55,000 to $82,000 reflects the range from institutional catering to restaurant kitchens. At 44% salary disclosure the figure is moderately supported.

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 Cook in Sydney?
Entry is $55,000, typically unqualified kitchen work in pubs, clubs, aged care and institutional catering. A Certificate III in Commercial Cookery is the main lever, worth about $5,000 given chefs here earn $80,000. Volume catering and aged care employers pay more reliably than restaurants at this level.
Is $75,000 a good salary in Sydney?
No. At $75,000 a cook earns 21.1% below Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000, with take-home near $1,128 a week against the highest living costs in this report. Melbourne pays $1,000 more at lower cost. Within the Sydney kitchen ladder there is real progression available, since head chef roles pay $100,000.
How much does a Senior Cook make in Sydney?
The ceiling is $82,000, which overlaps with the chef band, marking the point where the titles converge. Running a section or a small kitchen unsupervised is what reaches it. Sydney's kitchen hierarchy rewards progression more than most cities, so qualification is worth pursuing here.

Other roles in Sydney

Cook salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Sydney
Sydney (this page) $75,000 0%
Melbourne $76,076 ~same
Perth $70,000 -7%
Brisbane $65,000 -13%

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.