Kitchen Hand Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated

Kitchen Hands in Sydney earn a median salary of $65,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $53,992 and $80,500. That sits 32% below Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 30 jobs advertised in Sydney in the last 30 days.

● Moderate demand 43th percentile by listing volume in Sydney ↑ +2 listings vs last month
💰 Kitchen Hand · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$53,992 – $80,500
Median: $65,000
Jun $61k
Jul $65k
↑ Trending up

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

Mid level $53,992 – $80,500
Overall $53k–$80k Mid $53k–$80k $52k $58k $64k $70k $76k $82k
Moderate confidence 30 listings (+2 vs last month) · 02/08/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 30 job listings for this role and city, all sourced from Seek.com.au. Of those, 22.6% stated a salary directly. The remaining 77.4% 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. Fewer than a quarter of these listings stated a salary, so the median leans heavily on estimates.

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Bottom 10%  $53,992 Median  $65,000 $80,500  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

The median rose $3,650 to $65,000 with listings flat at 30. No other city carries enough listings under this title to compare. At 31.6% below the city median it sits alongside cleaning and retail as one of the lowest-paid roles in Sydney. The $80,000 ceiling is unusually high for the role and likely reflects some listings blending kitchen hand duties with food preparation. Only 23% of listings stated a salary.

Take Home Pay (based on median $65,000)

Weekly (net)
~$1,003
Monthly (net)
~$4,344
Annual (net)
~$52,133
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $72,475

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 $53,000, 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 $65,000 a good salary in Sydney?
No. At $65,000 a kitchen hand earns 31.6% below Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000, with take-home near $1,003 a week against the highest living costs in this report. This is an entry-level position rather than a career salary. Cook roles at $75,000 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 cook pay 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 $100,000 at head chef level.

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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.