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 $71,526 and $94,250. That sits 10% below Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 54 jobs advertised in Sydney in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 25% of roles by listing volume in Sydney ↑ +17 listings vs last month
💰 Sous Chef · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$71,526 – $94,250
Median: $85,000
Jun $85k
Jul $85k
→ Stable

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

Mid level $70,509 – $92,250
Overall $71k–$94k Mid $70k–$92k $68k $74k $79k $85k $91k $97k
Moderate confidence 54 listings (+17 vs last month) · 02/08/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 54 job listings for this role and city, all sourced from Seek.com.au. Of those, 46.3% stated a salary directly. The remaining 53.7% 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%  $71,526 Median  $85,000 $94,250  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

Sous chefs earn $85,000 in Sydney against $83,000 in Melbourne, with the median unchanged and listings rising 46% from 37 to 54. The Sydney kitchen ladder is the steepest in this report: cooks at $75,000, chefs and chefs de partie at $80,000, sous chefs at $85,000 and head chefs at $100,000. That $25,000 span means progression here actually pays, unlike Melbourne where the whole ladder spans $6,000. At 46% salary disclosure the figure is moderately 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 $71,000, 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 $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 leads the country for this title. The genuinely useful figure is $100,000, which is what head chefs earn here, making the next step worth $15,000.
How much does a Senior Sous Chef make in Sydney?
The ceiling is $94,000, which sits below the head chef median of $100,000, so the two bands barely overlap. Head chef is the meaningful next title and the step is real in Sydney. Executive chef and multi-venue roles sit above that again.

Other roles in Sydney

Sous Chef salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Sydney
Sydney (this page) $85,000 0%
Melbourne $83,750 ~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.