Kitchen Hand Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated

Kitchen Hands in Sydney earn a median salary of $62,244 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $50,000 and $80,000. That sits 34% below Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 41 jobs advertised in Sydney in the last 30 days.

● Moderate demand 64th percentile by listing volume in Sydney ↑ +16 listings vs last month
💰 Kitchen Hand · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$50,000 – $80,000
Median: $62,244
Aug $60k
Sep $62k
↑ Trending up

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

Mid level $50,000 – $80,200
Overall $50k–$80k Mid $50k–$80k $48k $55k $62k $68k $75k $82k
Moderate confidence 41 listings (+16 vs last month) · 30/09/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 41 job listings for this role and city, all sourced from Seek.com.au. Of those, 25.0% stated a salary directly. The remaining 75.0% 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  $62,244 $80,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

The median rose $2,244 to $62,000 with listings up 64% from 25 to 41. Brisbane pays $66,000 and Melbourne $60,000, so Sydney sits in the middle. Against Sydney's $95,000 city median this is a 34.5% shortfall, one of the widest role-to-city gaps in the report. The 48% spread running $50,000 to $80,000 is wide for an entry-level role and suggests some listings blend kitchen hand duties with food preparation. At 25% salary disclosure the figure leans on estimates.

Take Home Pay (based on median $62,244)

Weekly (net)
~$969
Monthly (net)
~$4,197
Annual (net)
~$50,369
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $69,402

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 Kitchen Hand in Sydney?
Entry is $50,000, at or near the full-time hospitality award minimum. Food handling certification and reliability are what employers name most often rather than experience. Volume catering, aged care and institutional kitchens pay more reliably than restaurants at this level.
Is $62,244 a good salary in Sydney?
No. At $62,000 a kitchen hand earns 34.5% below Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000, with take-home near $969 a week against the highest living costs in this report. This is an entry-level position rather than a career salary. Cook roles at $66,000 are the standard next step and reachable with a Certificate III.
How much does a Senior Kitchen Hand make in Sydney?
The ceiling is $80,000, which overlaps with the cook and chef de partie bands and probably reflects roles that have absorbed food preparation duties. There is no formal progression inside this title. A Certificate III in Commercial Cookery is the route into the kitchen ladder, which in Sydney reaches $86,000 at restaurant manager level.

Other roles in Sydney

Kitchen Hand salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Sydney
Sydney (this page) $62,244 0%
Brisbane $66,610 +7%
Melbourne $60,000 -4%

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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.