Kitchen Hand Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated

Kitchen Hands in Sydney earn a median salary of $61,350 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $50,000 and $84,286. That sits 35% below Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 28 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Sydney in the last 30 days.

— Moderate demand 36th percentile by listing volume in Sydney ↑ +7 listings vs last month
💰 Kitchen Hand · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$50,000 – $84,286
Median: $61,350
May $65k
Jun $61k
↓ Trending down

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

Mid level $51,182 – $84,490
Overall $50k–$84k Mid $51k–$84k $48k $56k $63k $71k $79k $87k
⚠ Low confidence 28 listings (+7 vs last month) · 05/07/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from advertised employer bands on Seek.com.au. Figures represent what employers publicly advertise and may differ from actual compensation. Sample size is small — treat figures as indicative.

Where does your salary sit?
Enter your salary to see where you rank.
Bottom 10%  $50,000 Median  $61,350 $84,286  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

Based on 28 listings, treat as directional. Sydney kitchen hands earn $61.4k, 35% below the city median and one of the lowest wages in the batch, and the median actually fell $3.7k on the month. The band is wide relative to the level ($50k to $84k), because casual hours and venue type swing the annualised figure heavily. This is entry-level hospitality, priced by very high labour supply in an expensive city.

Take Home Pay (based on median $61,350)

Weekly (net)
~$958
Monthly (net)
~$4,150
Annual (net)
~$49,797
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $68,405

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?
This is the entry point, so the floor of $50k (p10) is where most start. The lift toward the $84k top comes from moving beyond dishwashing into food prep, taking on section support in a busy kitchen, and reliability that earns more hours, which is really a step toward a commis or junior chef role.
Is $61,350 a good salary in Sydney?
No. At $61.4k the median is 35% below Sydney's all-roles median and nets about $50k, thin in a high-cost city. This is normal for the most junior hospitality role, priced by abundant supply, and it is best understood as a starting rung rather than a career wage. Progression into a chef role ($77.5k) is the realistic way up.
How much does a Senior Kitchen Hand make in Sydney?
There is no senior kitchen-hand tier, the band caps at $84k and even that reflects hours more than seniority. Earning meaningfully more means training into the kitchen brigade: commis chef, then chef de partie ($78k) and beyond, which turns kitchen support into a skilled cooking role.

Other roles in Sydney

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.