Creative & Education San Francisco, CA Pop. 873,965

Chef Salary in San Francisco, California

The median chef salary in San Francisco, CA is $102,866 per year, which is 82.0% above the national median and 31.9% above the California state average.

City Median
$102,866
vs State Avg
+$24,868
vs National
+$46,346
Cost of Living
182%

Chef Salary in San Francisco by Experience

In San Francisco, an entry-level chef earns around $63,700, while experienced professionals earn up to $160,160 per year. The local cost of living index is 182% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$63,700
+$28,700 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$101,920
+$45,920 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$160,160
+$72,160 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Francisco, CA

Percentile San Francisco
10th Percentile $60,424
25th Percentile $76,804
Median (50th) $102,866
75th Percentile $136,500
90th Percentile $177,996

Chef Salary in Other California Cities

San Jose, CA
$94,954
Pop. 1,013,240
Los Angeles, CA
$82,519
Pop. 3,898,747
San Diego, CA
$80,258
Pop. 1,386,932
Sacramento, CA
$66,694
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Chef in San Francisco

Education

Most chef positions require a high school diploma. San Francisco and the surrounding California area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Culinary ArtsMenu PlanningFood SafetyKitchen ManagementCost ControlCreativity

Job Outlook

Nationally, chef employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in San Francisco may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Chef Jobs in San Francisco

Browse open chef positions in San Francisco, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Chef Salary in San Francisco

How much does a Chef make in San Francisco, CA? ▼
The median chef salary in San Francisco, California is $102,866 per year, which is 82.0% above the national median of $56,520. Salaries range from $60,424 (10th percentile) to $177,996 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chef make per hour in San Francisco? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $102,866, a chef in San Francisco earns approximately $49 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Francisco compare to the California state average for chef pay? ▼
San Francisco's median chef salary of $102,866 is 31.9% above the California state average of $77,998. The local cost of living index is 182% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Francisco, CA? ▼
San Francisco has a cost of living index of 182% compared to the national average. This means a chef salary of $102,866 in San Francisco has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chef in San Francisco? ▼
Most chef positions in San Francisco require a high school diploma. Key skills include Culinary Arts, Menu Planning, Food Safety, Kitchen Management. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.