Entry level chef salary in United States

The average salary for an Entry Level Chef is $23.38 per hour in the United States. This figure is based on 39 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on August 10, 2026.

Find your next high paying job as an Entry Level Chef on Indeed today

Entry Level Chef salaries typically range between a low of $17.77 and a high of $30.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the hiring company.

Some of the highest-paying cities for Entry Level Chef include Seattle, WA at $29.59 per hour, Scotts Valley, CA at $26.71 per hour, and Bedford Heights, OH at $19.90 per hour.

Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Entry Level Chef include Jim 'N Nick's ($77,500 per year) and Harry's Pizzeria ($60,000 per year).

Compensation can vary based on the specific niche and level of responsibility within the field. Here is how the average Entry Level Chef salary compares to related positions:

• Assistant Chef: Average $19.01 per hour
• Chef: Average $20.60 per hour
• Head Chef: Average $66,513 per year
• Junior Chef: Average $23.11 per hour
• Sous Chef: Average $64,888 per year