How Much Does an Assistant Chef Make? (2025)
The demand for chefs, including assistant chefs, is expected to grow by 8% from 2023 to 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As businesses grow, understanding salary expectations for this role is important for hiring and planning.
According to Salary.com, the average salary for assistant chefs in the United States for 2025 is $53,705 per year. This guide provides an overview of assistant chef salaries, job descriptions, frequently asked questions, and what to expect in this job title.
What Does an Assistant Chef do?
As an assistant chef, they help the executive chef with kitchen daily operations like menu planning, purchasing, inventory, cost control, and sanitation. They oversee kitchen staff, ensure food quality and presentation, resolve issues, and follow safety and sanitation rules. They also train and mentor staff while supervising a small team in a routine-focused environment.
The role may require a culinary arts associate degree or equivalent, along with 3 years of related experience. It typically reports to the head chef or executive chef and requires a strong understanding of the supervised area.
What is Assistant Chef Salary Overview?
The projected average salary for assistant chefs in the United States in 2025 is $53,705 per year or $25.82 per hour, representing a 2.1% increase from the 2024 average annual salary of $52,600.
Based on Salary.com salary data, the salary range for assistant chefs is between $39,418 to $62,221 per year, with most earning between $45,700 and $61,300. The assistant chef salary per month is $4,383.
Assistant chefs typically earn an average of $25 per hour, with hourly rates ranging from $22 to $29. The average weekly salary for assistant chefs is $1,012, with weekly pay ranging from $879 to $1,179.
2025 Assistant Chef Average Salary: $53,705 per year ($25.82 per hour)
2024 Assistant Chef Average Salary: $52,600 per year ($25 per hour)
Meanwhile, the median core compensation for an assistant chef is $53,100 per year, including salary and bonuses, and varies depending on the percentile.
| Percentile | Salary + Bonus |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,727 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,100 |
| 50th Percentile | $53,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,100 |
| 90th Percentile | $70,294 |
The average total compensation for assistant chefs is $78,209, according to Salary.com report. The total compensation package includes benefits like healthcare ($8,352), time off ($6,535), and Social Security ($4,062), which make up 24.3% of the total compensation.
| Core Compensation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $52,600 | 67.3% |
| Bonus | $500 | 0.6% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
| Social Security | $4,062 | 5.2% |
| 401K/403B | $2,230 | 2.9% |
| Disability | $1,062 | 1.4% |
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 10.7% |
| Pension | $2,867 | 3.7% |
| Time Off | $6,535 | 8.4% |
| Total Compensation | $78,209 | 100% |
What Can Affect Assistant Chef's Salaries?
Factors such as experience level, geographic location, education, and skills significantly influence the salary of assistant chefs. Below is a breakdown of key salary components:
By Experience Level
Salary.com data shows that entry-level assistant chefs with less than one year of experience earn an average salary of $49,825. In contrast, assistant chefs with eight or more years of experience, considered expert-level professionals, can expect to earn an average salary of $55,609.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Assistant Chef | $49,825 ($23.96 per hour) |
| Intermediate Level Assistant Chef | $50,134 ($24.10 per hour) |
| Senior Level Assistant Chef | $51,164 ($24.60 per hour) |
| Specialist Level Assistant Chef | $53,940 ($25.93 per hour) |
| Expert Assistant Chef | $55,609 ($26.74 per hour) |
By Geographic Location
Assistant chef salaries in the United States vary by location due to factors like cost of living, the local economy, and industry presence. Among the hot cities in the United States, San Francisco reports the highest median salary at $65,800, while Miami and Dallas reflect lower median salaries at $50,800 and $51,900, respectively.
| Cities | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, California | $57,100 | $65,800 | $76,700 |
| Washington, District of Columbia | $50,900 | $58,600 | $68,300 |
| Miami, Florida | $44,100 | $50,800 | $59,200 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $47,900 | $55,200 | $64,300 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $51,200 | $59,000 | $68,800 |
| New York, New York | $53,400 | $61,500 | $71,600 |
| Dallas, Texas | $45,100 | $51,900 | $60,500 |
By Skills
The salary for assistant chefs increases with certain high-demand skills. According to Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, an assistant chef can earn a 9.61% increase with culinary arts skills, while those with kitchen management skills can receive an 8.81% increase. The demand for these skills is 59.06% and 8.81%, respectively.
Other skills that can increase the salary of assistant chefs include:
| Skills | Increase (%) | Demand (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Culinary arts | 9.61% | 59.06% |
| Kitchen management | 8.81% | 13.69% |
| Guest service | 8.70% | 7.09% |
| Menu planning | 8.55% | 4.88% |
| Cost control | 7.66% | 9.22% |
| Customer satisfaction | 7.57% | 16.50% |
By Education
Educational levels can influence the pay scale. The majority of assistant chefs hold an associate degree (53.8%), followed by a bachelor's degree (19.9%), with a small percentage have a master's degree (0.6%).
| Degree Level | % of Users with This Level of Education |
|---|---|
| Associates | 53.80% |
| Bachelors | 19.90% |
| Masters | 0.60% |
How to Become an Assistant Chef
To pursue a career as an assistant chef, focus on the following key areas:
- Gain basic culinary education: Enroll in an accredited culinary program to obtain foundational knowledge in food preparation, safety, and kitchen operations. An associate degree in culinary arts or an equivalent qualification is typically required for this role.
- Obtain relevant experience: A minimum of three years of experience in a related kitchen position, such as a prep cook, line cook, or kitchen assistant, is generally required.
- Develop necessary skills, training, and qualifications: In addition to cooking skills, an assistant chef must be proficient in culinary arts, kitchen management, guest service, menu planning, and cost control. Strong knowledge of sanitation, staff supervision, and problem-solving is also critical.
What are the FAQs about Assistant Chefs?
Here are some common questions about the assistant chef salary:
How much do assistant chefs make in the US?
In the United States, the average salary for assistant chef is $52,600 per year, $25 per hour, $1,012 per week, or $4,383 per month. For 2025, Salary.com data projects the assistant chef salary for an assistant chef to be $53,705 per year or $25.82 per hour.
What is the lowest salary of an assistant chef?
Based on the December 1, 2024 data, the lowest salary for assistant chef is $39,418 per year, which is in the 10th percentile. This is equivalent to $19 per hour, $758 per week, or $3,285 per month.
What are the requirements for an assistant chef?
The requirements for an assistant chef include an associate degree in culinary arts, at least three years of experience in kitchen roles like prep cook or line cook, and skills in menu planning, inventory management, cost control, sanitation, and staff supervision.
What's an assistant chef called?
An assistant chef is often called a sous chef, second chef, under chef, or deputy chef. This role is second-in-command and reports directly to the head chef or executive chef.
What's the difference between a pastry chef and a chef?
The difference between a pastry chef and a culinary chef is that a pastry chef is a person who specializes in creating baked goods, desserts, and other pastry-based items, while a culinary chef is responsible for preparing savory dishes, menu planning, and overseeing kitchen operations. Both are vital members of the kitchen team.
