Chefs earn on average over £8,000 less than the average UK wage

RS Components has analysed ONS data to reveal the highest and lowest paying jobs across the UK and highlight where chefs are positioned in the nation’s salary chart.

For those looking to become a chef, the majority go into the job because of a passion for cooking, food and entertaining others.

Whilst there is no denying that we’d all like to get an extra zero (or few) added to the end of our payslips, most people striving to become a chef are aware of the long shifts and below-average pay they can receive from pursuing a career they love.

Results reveal that the average working Brit earns £569 per week, equalling £29,558 per year. RS Components discovered that over half (57%) of jobs in the UK are paid under the UK average salary. So where do chefs sit in the UK average wage chart compared to other industries?

The highest versus lowest-earning occupations

In the UK, CEOs unsurprisingly top the leaderboard with an average earning of £97,083 per annum, which is a staggering £67,525 more than the national average. The average CEO also earns £21,228, more than the second-highest profession, medical practitioner, who earn £75,855 per year, closely followed by marketing sales directors who receive an annual salary of £75,126 on average.

The lowest UK earners are bar staff roles, which receive average annual earnings of just £15,072, which is nearly half of the UK’s average wage and 6.4 times less than CEOs. Following close behind is waiters and waitresses who earn £15,454 each year (£297 per week).

Chef’s salary sits below the UK average wage

The results reveal that the annual salary chefs receive sits at £21,403, which is over £8,000 less than the UK average wage of £29,574. Whilst there is progression available in the cooking industry, with lowest levels of employment sitting around the role of a dishwasher and kitchen hand, all the way up to head chef, the average salary is still positioned significantly lower compared to other industries. 

2018 data also reveals a 17% drop in the number of chefs reported to be working in the UK.

Your age and gender make a difference

 The results highlight that industry is not the only differentiating factor for wage earnings, with your age also reflecting the salary you earn. People between the ages of 22 and 29 earn £4,747 less than the national average per year, being paid an average annual salary of £24,840. 

Gender also has an impact, with men earning on average £4,144 more than women each year. This gender gap is still particularly prevalent in the industry, with the Office of National Statistics reporting that just 17% of people working in the sector are women. Whilst females in the industry are pushing to gain a stronger presence, there is no denying that there is a long way to go to closing the gender gap amongst chefs.

How does your job compare to the industry’s average wage you work in and the rest of the UK?  Will you be considering a career change in the near future? Head to RS Components’ UK Wage Chart to find out.