Sous Chef Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated

Sous Chefs in Sydney earn a median salary of $85,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $80,000 and $100,000. That sits 10% below Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 62 jobs advertised in Sydney in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 23% of roles by listing volume in Sydney ↑ +19 listings vs last month
💰 Sous Chef · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$80,000 – $100,000
Median: $85,000
Aug $85k
Sep $85k
→ Stable

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

Mid level $80,000 – $100,000
Overall $80k–$100k Mid $80k–$100k $77k $82k $87k $92k $97k $103k
Moderate confidence 62 listings (+19 vs last month) · 30/09/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 62 job listings for this role and city, all sourced from Seek.com.au. Of those, 48.4% stated a salary directly. The remaining 51.6% 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%  $80,000 Median  $85,000 $100,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

Sous chefs earn $85,000 in Sydney and Melbourne alike, with the median unchanged and listings up 44% from 43 to 62. At 24% the spread is tight, running $80,000 to $100,000. The Sydney kitchen ladder is legible: cook at $66,000, chef at $79,000, chef de partie at $80,000, sous chef at $85,000 and restaurant manager at $86,000, a $20,000 span. At 48% salary disclosure the figure is moderately well 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 Sydney?
Entry is $80,000, which is exactly what chefs de partie earn as a median, so the promotion often starts without a pay rise. 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 Sydney?
Not quite. At $85,000 a sous chef earns 10.5% below Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000, with take-home near $1,254 a week against the highest living costs in this report. It matches Melbourne exactly. Restaurant management at $86,000 is the nearest step up, worth only $1,000, so the move out of the kitchen is not financially driven.
How much does a Senior Sous Chef make in Sydney?
The ceiling is $100,000, which sits above the restaurant manager median of $86,000, so a well-placed sous chef can out-earn a typical venue manager. That overlap means venue type matters more than title at this level. Head chef and executive chef roles sit above both.

Other roles in Sydney

Sous Chef salaries in other cities

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