SOC 5434 Textiles, printing and other skilled trades

Chefs Salary

Median salary £26,531 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £27,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For chefs, £30,010 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -23% versus the national average. Experienced chefs (top 25%) earn over £33,245.

About this role

Chefs prepare, cook and present food to established recipes and quality standards. They manage kitchen operations, maintain food safety and hygiene, develop menus and ensure consistent food quality in commercial catering environments.

Key responsibilities

Preparing and cooking food to recipe specifications and quality standards
Managing kitchen operations, stock and food ordering
Ensuring compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations
Developing and testing new menu items
Training and supervising kitchen team members

Qualifications and entry routes

Typically enters through an apprenticeship, college course (City & Guilds/NVQ) or on-the-job training. Food Safety Level 2/3 certification is mandatory. Higher-level roles benefit from culinary qualifications and extensive experience.

Career outlook

Persistent recruitment difficulties across the sector. Experienced chefs are in high demand, particularly in fine dining and specialist cuisine.

Key skills

Culinary skills Food safety and hygiene Time management Creativity Working under pressure

Common industries

Restaurants
Hotels
Contract catering
Hospitals and schools
Food manufacturing

Data coverage

SOC code 5434

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 152,000

Median Salary

£26,531

Mean Salary

£26,301

Jobs (000s)

152k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P10: £12kP25: £18kMedian: £27kP75: £33kP90: £41k

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£11,698

0-2 years

Mid Level

£17,587

3-7 years

Senior

£33,245

8-15 years

Leadership

£40,597

15+ years

Potential career growth: +247% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +52.3%Real growth: +10.3%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 17.4%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£26,531

Full-time Only

£30,010

Full-time premium: +£3,479

Chefs salary: common questions

How much do chefs earn in the UK?

Chefs earn a median of £30,010 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £17,587 and £33,245.

Is £30,010 a good salary in the UK?

For chefs, £30,010 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -23% versus the national average. Experienced chefs (top 25%) earn over £33,245.

What is the starting salary for chefs?

Entry-level chefs typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £17,587, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £11,698.

How much do the highest-paid chefs earn?

The best-paid 10% of chefs earn over £40,597 a year, and the top 25% over £33,245 (ONS ASHE 2025).

Have chefs salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median chefs pay has risen from £18,608 to £30,010 — +61% in cash terms, or +17% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for chefs?

Male chefs earn a median £28,168 and female chefs £23,278 — a gap of +17% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).