Sous Chef Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated

Sous Chefs in Melbourne earn a median salary of $85,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $75,250 and $100,000. That sits 9% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $93,805. Figures are based on 42 jobs advertised in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

● Moderate demand 63th percentile by listing volume in Melbourne ↑ +1 listings vs last month
💰 Sous Chef · Melbourne
ADVERTISED RANGE
$75,250 – $100,000
Median: $85,000
Aug $85k
Sep $85k
→ Stable

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

Mid level $71,500 – $97,750
Overall $75k–$100k Mid $71k–$97k $69k $76k $82k $89k $96k $103k
Moderate confidence 42 listings (+1 vs last month) · 30/09/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 42 job listings for this role and city, all sourced from Seek.com.au. Of those, 50.0% stated a salary directly. The remaining 50.0% 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%  $75,250 Median  $85,000 $100,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

Sous chefs earn $85,000 in Melbourne and Sydney alike, with the median unchanged and listings flat at 42. The Melbourne kitchen ladder has become properly separated this month: cook at $65,000, chef and chef de partie at $75,000, sous chef at $85,000 and head chef at $90,000. That $25,000 span is a marked improvement on the compressed range this market showed earlier in the year, when the whole hierarchy spanned a few thousand dollars. At 50% salary disclosure the figure is reasonably supported.

Take Home Pay (based on median $85,000)

Weekly (net)
~$1,254
Monthly (net)
~$5,434
Annual (net)
~$65,208
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $94,775

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 Sous Chef in Melbourne?
Entry is $75,000, typically a chef de partie stepping up to second-in-charge, and that floor is exactly what chefs earn as a median. Section leadership, ordering and rostering are the responsibilities that come with the title. Venue type matters more than tenure, with hotels and high-volume operations paying above small restaurants.
Is $85,000 a good salary in Melbourne?
Not quite. At $85,000 a sous chef earns 9.4% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $93,000, with take-home near $1,254 a week against the highest living costs in this report. It matches Sydney exactly. The useful figure is $90,000, which is what head chefs earn here, making the next step worth $5,000.
How much does a Senior Sous Chef make in Melbourne?
The ceiling is $100,000, which sits above the head chef median of $90,000, so a well-placed sous chef can out-earn a typical head chef. That overlap means venue type matters more than title at this level. Executive chef and multi-venue roles sit above both.

Other roles in Melbourne

Sous Chef salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Melbourne
Melbourne (this page) $85,000 0%
Sydney $85,000 ~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.