Sous Chef Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated

Sous Chefs in Melbourne earn a median salary of $83,750 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $72,387 and $92,500. That sits 7% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $90,000. Figures are based on 38 jobs advertised in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

● Moderate demand 58th percentile by listing volume in Melbourne ↑ +7 listings vs last month
💰 Sous Chef · Melbourne
ADVERTISED RANGE
$72,387 – $92,500
Median: $83,750
Jun $82k
Jul $83k
→ Stable

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

Mid level $75,887 – $90,750
Overall $72k–$92k Mid $75k–$90k $70k $75k $80k $85k $90k $95k
Moderate confidence 38 listings (+7 vs last month) · 02/08/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 38 job listings for this role and city, all sourced from Seek.com.au. Of those, 57.9% stated a salary directly. The remaining 42.1% 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%  $72,387 Median  $83,750 $92,500  Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

Sous chefs earn $83,000 in Melbourne against $85,000 in Sydney, with the median up $1,250 and listings rising from 31 to 38. At 58% salary disclosure this is a well-evidenced figure. The 24% spread running $72,000 to $92,000 is tight, and it sits just $4,000 above chef pay at $79,000 and $6,000 above chef de partie at $77,000. That compression across the whole kitchen hierarchy is the defining feature of Melbourne hospitality pay.

Take Home Pay (based on median $83,750)

Weekly (net)
~$1,238
Monthly (net)
~$5,366
Annual (net)
~$64,389
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $93,381

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 $72,000, typically a chef de partie stepping up to second-in-charge. 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 $83,750 a good salary in Melbourne?
Not really. At $83,000 a sous chef earns 6.9% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $90,000, with take-home near $1,238 a week against high living costs. The bigger issue is the ladder: chef de partie, chef and sous chef span only $6,000 in total. Sydney pays $2,000 more for the same title.
How much does a Senior Sous Chef make in Melbourne?
The ceiling is $92,000, the highest in the Melbourne chef hierarchy but still below the city median. Head chef and executive chef roles are what pay beyond it, though they appear under different titles in this data. Venue-level responsibility rather than kitchen seniority is what changes the band.

Other roles in Melbourne

Sous Chef salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Melbourne
Melbourne (this page) $83,750 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.