Chef salary in the UK
The average Chef salary in the UK is £28,000 per year (£1,973/mo net take-home pay after UK tax, or £14.36/hr).
≈ £1,637 / month after tax
Hourly rate: £11.49/hr (37.5h/wk)
Typical starting package for a graduate or junior Chef in the UK (0–2 years experience).
≈ £1,973 / month after tax
Hourly: £14.36/hr • Daily: £108/day
Market median for an established Chef in the UK (2–5 years experience).
≈ £2,477 / month after tax
Hourly rate: £18.67/hr (37.5h/wk)
Top percentile pay for senior & lead Chef specialists in the UK (5+ years).
Take-home pay vs. living cost in the UK
Based on the 2026/27 UK tax year (standard 1257L tax code), a mid-level Chef earning £28,000 takes home £1,973 net per month (or £455/week).
Compare Chef pay by UK city
Select a UK city to view regional salary adjustments and local vacancies:
Live Chef jobs in the UK
Every listing includes our interactive postcode Area guide & commute calculator
Sous Chef
£28,496The Jugged Hare • London, UK, SW1A 1BB
Assistant Chef - Bank
£36,804Bupa • St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL2 3TN
Chef de Partie
£36,728El Pastor • London, UK, SW1A 1BB
Executive Chef - Soho Farmhouse (Japanese Restaurant)
£44,309Soho House - Farmhouse • Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 5NA
Chef de Partie
£29,915JW Lees • Failsworth, Manchester, OL9 8AU
Second Chef
£41,075Bupa • UK, KT2 7EG
Frequently asked questions about Chef pay in the UK
How much does a Chef earn in the UK in 2026/27?
The average Chef salary in the UK is £28,000 per year (or £14.36 per hour based on a standard 37.5-hour UK working week). Entry-level and graduate Chef roles start around £22,400 per year, while senior and lead specialists earn up to £36,400 per year.
What is the monthly take-home pay for a Chef in the UK after UK tax?
On a median Chef salary of £28,000 in the UK, your estimated net take-home pay is £1,973 per month (approx. £455 per week) after deducting 2026/27 UK Income Tax and Class 1 National Insurance under the standard 1257L tax code.
What is the typical hourly and daily rate for a Chef in the UK?
A mid-level Chef in the UK earns an equivalent hourly rate of £14.36/hr (ranging from £11.49/hr for junior roles to £18.67/hr for senior roles) and a permanent daily salary equivalent of £108 per day.
Is a Chef salary enough to live comfortably in the UK?
With a net monthly income of £1,973 and an estimated 1-bedroom rent of £1,150 per month in the UK, housing takes approximately 58% of a Chef's take-home pay — leaving £823 per month in disposable income.