How much do Michelin star chefs earn UK?

Chefs at Michelin-starred restaurants earn more than average. Head chefs at one-star restaurants earn £50,000-£80,000, two-star head chefs earn £70,000-£100,000, and three-star head chefs/chef-patrons can earn £100,000-£200,000+. Celebrity chef-owners potentially earn significantly more through TV, books, and brand deals.

Why are chef salaries so low compared to hours worked?

Chefs typically work 45-60+ hours per week, but salaries haven't kept pace with other professions. The hospitality industry operates on tight margins, and there's historically been an oversupply of entry-level talent. However, post-pandemic staff shortages have pushed wages up, particularly for experienced chefs.

What's the highest paid chef job in the UK?

The highest-paid chef roles are celebrity chefs with media empires (£1m+), executive chefs at 5-star hotels (£80,000-£120,000), head chefs at three-star Michelin restaurants (£100,000-£200,000), private chefs for UHNWIs (£80,000-£150,000+), and kitchen directors at major hospitality groups (£70,000-£100,000).

How Much Do Chefs Earn in the UK? — 2026 Salary Guide | PocketWise

Q: How much do chefs earn in the UK 2026?

UK chef salaries range from £22,000 for commis chefs to £60,000+ for head chefs at top restaurants. Commis chefs earn £22,000-£26,000, chef de partie earn £26,000-£34,000, sous chefs earn £32,000-£45,000, and head chefs earn £40,000-£70,000. Michelin-starred chefs and executive chefs can earn £80,000-£150,000+. London pays 15-25% more.

Professional cooking is a demanding career with long hours, but passionate chefs can progress to well-paid positions. Here’s the complete breakdown of chef earnings across the UK.

Chef Salary by Brigade Position (2025/26)

Kitchen Brigade Hierarchy

Position	Salary (National)	Salary (London)
Kitchen Porter	£20,000-£24,000	£23,000-£28,000
Commis Chef	£22,000-£26,000	£25,000-£30,000
Demi Chef de Partie	£24,000-£28,000	£27,000-£32,000
Chef de Partie	£26,000-£34,000	£30,000-£40,000
Senior Chef de Partie	£30,000-£38,000	£34,000-£44,000
Junior Sous Chef	£32,000-£40,000	£36,000-£46,000
Sous Chef	£35,000-£45,000	£40,000-£55,000
Senior Sous Chef	£40,000-£52,000	£45,000-£60,000
Head Chef	£42,000-£60,000	£50,000-£75,000
Executive Chef	£55,000-£85,000	£65,000-£110,000
Group Executive Chef	£70,000-£100,000	£80,000-£130,000

Pay by Establishment Type

Fine Dining

Position	Salary
Commis Chef	£24,000-£30,000
Chef de Partie	£30,000-£40,000
Sous Chef	£38,000-£50,000
Head Chef	£50,000-£80,000
Head Chef (Michelin-starred)	£55,000-£120,000

Hotels

Hotel Type	Chef de Partie	Sous Chef	Head Chef
Budget hotel chain	£24,000-£28,000	£30,000-£38,000	£38,000-£48,000
3-4 star hotel	£26,000-£32,000	£34,000-£44,000	£42,000-£58,000
5 star city hotel	£30,000-£38,000	£40,000-£52,000	£55,000-£80,000
Luxury country house	£28,000-£36,000	£38,000-£48,000	£50,000-£75,000
5 star London flagship	£34,000-£44,000	£48,000-£62,000	£70,000-£100,000

Restaurant Groups and Chains

Type	CDP	Sous Chef	Head Chef
Fast casual chain	£24,000-£28,000	£30,000-£36,000	£35,000-£45,000
Casual dining chain	£25,000-£30,000	£32,000-£40,000	£38,000-£50,000
Premium casual	£28,000-£34,000	£36,000-£46,000	£45,000-£60,000
High-end group (D&D, etc.)	£30,000-£38,000	£40,000-£52,000	£55,000-£75,000

Pubs and Gastro-Pubs

Type	CDP	Sous/Second	Head Chef
Traditional pub	£23,000-£27,000	£28,000-£34,000	£32,000-£42,000
Gastro-pub	£26,000-£32,000	£32,000-£40,000	£38,000-£52,000
Premium gastro-pub	£28,000-£35,000	£36,000-£45,000	£45,000-£65,000

Contract Catering and Institutions

Employer	CDP	Sous	Head Chef
School/hospital	£23,000-£27,000	£28,000-£34,000	£32,000-£42,000
Corporate catering	£25,000-£30,000	£32,000-£40,000	£38,000-£50,000
Premium corporate	£28,000-£34,000	£36,000-£46,000	£45,000-£60,000
Private members’ club	£30,000-£38,000	£40,000-£50,000	£50,000-£75,000

Michelin Star Restaurant Pay

By Star Rating

Level	CDP	Sous Chef	Head Chef
No stars (fine dining)	£28,000-£35,000	£38,000-£48,000	£48,000-£68,000
One Michelin star	£30,000-£40,000	£42,000-£55,000	£55,000-£85,000
Two Michelin stars	£34,000-£45,000	£48,000-£65,000	£70,000-£110,000
Three Michelin stars	£38,000-£50,000	£55,000-£75,000	£90,000-£180,000+

Note: At top restaurants, lower-paid positions may accept lower wages for the CV benefit and training.

Private Chefs

Client Type	Salary/Rate
Household private chef (part-time)	£40,000-£60,000
Full-time private chef (UK)	£50,000-£80,000
UHNW (Ultra-High-Net-Worth)	£80,000-£150,000+
Yacht chef (superyacht)	£50,000-£100,000 + tips
Travel with family	£60,000-£120,000 + expenses
Day rate (events)	£250-£500/day

Private chef roles often include accommodation and significant benefits.

Specialist Roles

Specialism	Salary Range
Pastry Chef de Partie	£28,000-£36,000
Senior Pastry Chef	£34,000-£45,000
Head Pastry Chef	£42,000-£65,000
Executive Pastry Chef	£55,000-£85,000
Development Chef (R&D)	£40,000-£65,000
Food Stylist	£30,000-£60,000 (freelance higher)
Cooking Demonstrator	£25,000-£50,000
Consultant Chef	£400-£1,000/day

Regional Pay Differences

Region	CDP	Head Chef
Central London	£32,000-£42,000	£55,000-£80,000
Greater London	£28,000-£36,000	£45,000-£65,000
South East	£26,000-£32,000	£40,000-£58,000
South West (tourist areas)	£25,000-£31,000	£38,000-£55,000
Midlands	£24,000-£30,000	£36,000-£50,000
Manchester/Liverpool	£25,000-£32,000	£38,000-£55,000
Yorkshire	£24,000-£30,000	£35,000-£50,000
North East	£23,000-£28,000	£32,000-£46,000
Scotland	£24,000-£30,000	£36,000-£52,000
Wales	£23,000-£28,000	£32,000-£48,000

Agency and Temporary Work

Level	Day Rate	Hourly Rate
Commis Chef	£100-£140	£12-£18
Chef de Partie	£140-£180	£16-£22
Sous Chef	£180-£250	£20-£30
Head Chef	£220-£350	£25-£40
Relief Head Chef	£250-£400	£28-£45

Agency rates are higher but without benefits, paid leave, or job security.

Working Conditions

Typical Hours

Establishment	Weekly Hours
Hotels (split shifts)	45-55
Fine dining	50-65+
Casual restaurant	45-55
Pub kitchen	45-50
Contract catering	40-45
Private chef	40-60 (variable)

Common Benefits

Benefit	Prevalence
Meals on duty	Standard
Uniform provided	Standard
Tips/service charge share	Common
Pension (auto-enrolment)	3% minimum
Annual leave	20-28 days
Training and development	Varies
Staff discounts	Common in groups

Career Progression Timeline

Stage	Experience	Role	Salary
Starting out	0-1 years	Commis Chef	£22,000-£26,000
Developing	1-3 years	Demi CDP	£24,000-£28,000
Competent	2-4 years	Chef de Partie	£26,000-£34,000
Experienced	4-7 years	Senior CDP/Junior Sous	£32,000-£42,000
Leadership	6-10 years	Sous Chef	£38,000-£50,000
Senior leadership	8-15 years	Head Chef	£45,000-£70,000
Executive	12-20 years	Executive Chef	£60,000-£100,000
Director level	15+ years	Group/Culinary Director	£80,000-£150,000+

Training and Qualifications

Entry Routes

Route	Details
College (NVQ/diploma)	1-3 years full-time
Apprenticeship	Learn and earn (Level 2-3)
Culinary school (Le Cordon Bleu, Westminster Kingsway)	Premium training
Starting as KP	Work up through the ranks
Career change	Fast-track courses available

Useful Qualifications

Qualification	Level	Value
NVQ Level 2 Food Prep	Entry	Basic competence
NVQ Level 3 Professional Cookery	Intermediate	Industry standard
City & Guilds 706/1, 706/2	Traditional	Historic respect
Higher culinary diploma	Advanced	Leadership roles
Food hygiene (Level 2/3/4)	Essential	Legal requirement

Summit to Success

Some chefs build significant wealth through additional revenue streams:

Revenue Stream	Potential
Cookbooks	£10,000-£500,000+
TV appearances	£5,000-£50,000/episode
Brand endorsements	£50,000-£500,000/year
Restaurant ownership	Highly variable
Consulting	£500-£2,000/day
Online courses/content	Variable

The top celebrity chefs (Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, etc.) have built multi-million pound empires.

Summary

Position	Salary (National)	Salary (London)
Commis Chef	£22,000-£26,000	£25,000-£30,000
Chef de Partie	£26,000-£34,000	£30,000-£40,000
Sous Chef	£35,000-£45,000	£40,000-£55,000
Head Chef	£42,000-£60,000	£50,000-£75,000
Executive Chef	£55,000-£85,000	£65,000-£110,000
Michelin-star Head Chef	£55,000-£120,000	£70,000-£180,000+
Private Chef	£50,000-£150,000	—