July 3, 2009, Newsletter Issue #160: Chef Salaries

Tip of the Week

As with any career choice, you have to start at square one and work your way up. Unless your father’s last name is Trump or Hilton, you’re probably not going to start out as a star chef on a primetime reality show. Even taking cooking classes in New York City won’t guarantee an illustrious career. But it helps. Salaries for sous chefs (the second in command on the kitchen scene) make an average of $45,000, give or take. Naturally, salary earned depends on position, experience, and where you’re employed.

You may have to start out doing voluntary work or intern with a restaurant in order to get your start. Eventually, you’ll work your way into a position, probably somewhere around the bottom of the totem pole. Stick with it though! Work hard, keep your eyes open for new positions that showcase your talents, and align yourself to be able to accept more responsibility, and eventually, more pay.

The number one question culinary students, or people thinking about getting into the field, want to know is how much money they’ll make. That’s a hard one to answer because it isn’t precise. Chef salaries really depend on where you work, your experience, reputation, etc. It’s not unreasonable to expect to earn anywhere from $40,000 upwards of $70,000. Again, it all depends on a number of variables. A chef with an entrepreneurial streak could make a lot more by finding a niche market for their services.

About LifeTips

Now one of the top on-line publishers in the world, LifeTips offers tips to millions of monthly visitors. Our mission mission is to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Expert writers earn dough for what they know. And exclusive sponsors in each niche topic help us make-it-all happen.

Exclusive Sponsor

The French Culinary Institute, in the heart of New York City’s hottest culinary scene, can prepare you for a satisfying, successful career in the culinary field the shortest possible time—and take you as far as you want to go—with renowned culinary arts, pastry arts, bread baking, Italian, and continuing education courses. Our world-class faculty and facilities, along with a Total Immersion curriculum are unrivaled anywhere. And, if you want to feel like a star in your home kitchen, there’s isn’t a more exciting place to learn to express your inner chef than our amateur courses. So, get ready to go farther and faster than you ever imagined—at The FCI. Find out more and get a free information packet at http://www.frenchculinary.com/

Not finding the advice and tips you need on this Cooking Schools Tip Site? Request a Tip Now!


Guru Spotlight
Ray Lokar