What Is the Salary for a Restaurant Chef?
Working as a chef in a restaurant is an exciting, creative career path that also requires hard work and discipline. The salary a potential restaurant chef can expect to earn will vary depending on his education, experience and skill level, as well as the type of restaurant that employs him and its location.
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A restaurant chef's salary is decided based on several factors, but according to Global Gourmet, one can expect to earn between $20,000 and $70,00. Fine dining establishments tend to pay more, and head or executive chefs earn a higher income, as do chefs with a specialty, for example a pastry chef.
Types
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A chef entering the restaurant business will likely begin as a line cook, following the head chef's orders and focusing on a specific task as part of an assembly line. At some restaurants, the next promotion may be a cooking assistant, which can earn a salary in the mid to upper $20,000s. Sous chefs at fine dining restaurants or those at hotels or resorts may earn between $30,000 and $49,000, while head or executive chefs at such establishments may earn up to $85,000.
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Considerations
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Working at an expensive restaurant does not guarantee higher pay. Line cooks at five-star restaurants, on cruise ships or at resorts may earn the same salary as those at a two-star restaurant. A chef with a specific and desirable skill set, such as a sushi or Indian cuisine expert, may earn a higher salary in his area because of higher demand.
Education
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Any restaurant chef position salary, from line cook to executive chef, will vary depending on the level of education and training the chef holds. A degree from a culinary institute will help a restaurant chef seeking a higher salary.
Experience
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Likewise, the amount of experience a restaurant chef has holds a bearing on his salary. In addition, the type of experience makes a difference; for example, two years of experience in a chain restaurant may not garner the same increase in salary as two years in a five-star restaurant.
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