Head Chef
PPM Recruitment
£20.17 an hour
ApplyHead Chef (Grade K2. Site Location: Wrexham. Job Title: Head Chef 1 - Grade K2. Sector: Catering Operations / Public Sector..
Head Chef Salary UK 2026
The average advertised pay for a Head Chef, based on live UK vacancies — with how it compares to similar roles and how many jobs are available right now.
By Louisa Lowe, Editor — Careers & Workplace · Updated 5 October 2026£41,000
median advertised salary
85
live jobs right now
82%
permanent roles
71%
via agencies
How much does a Head Chef earn in the UK?
The average advertised salary for a Head Chef in the UK is £41,000 a year, based on 79 live vacancies carrying salary information this month. That is about £3,420 a month or £21.03 an hour before tax, on a 37.5-hour week. 82% of current adverts are permanent, and 71% are posted through recruitment agencies.
Head Chef adverts mention AI or automation 0% of the time — among the most AI-proof roles we track.
How Head Chef pay compares
Median advertised salary for Head Chef beside other job titles in retail, hospitality and cleaning, from the lowest paid to the highest.
Other roles in retail, hospitality and cleaning
| Role | Median pay | Live jobs | Permanent | AI mentions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category Manager | £53,000 | 49 | 89% | 0% |
| Head Chef | £41,000 | 85 | 82% | 0% |
| Pastry Chef | £35,000 | 12 | 78% | 0% |
| Chef de Partie | £32,000 | 98 | 80% | 0% |
| Concierge | £30,000 | 17 | 81% | 0% |
| Industrial Cleaner | £27,000 | 23 | 40% | 0% |
| Barista | £26,000 | 16 | 25% | 0% |
| Domestic Cleaner | £25,000 | 17 | 60% | 0% |
| Hostess | £24,785 | 8 | 52% | 1% |
Latest Head Chef jobs
Head Chef
PPM Recruitment
£20.17 an hour
ApplyHead Chef (Grade K2. Site Location: Accrington - BB5. Job Title: Head Chef 1 - Grade K2. Sector: Catering Operations / Public..
Head Chef
PPM Recruitment
£20.17 an hour
ApplyHead Chef (Grade K2. Site Location: Preston - PR1. Job Title: Head Chef 1 - Grade K2. Sector: Catering Operations / Public Sector..
Head Chef
Contract Options
£35,000 – £40,000 a year
ApplyHEAD CHEF – MAKE EVERY MEAL MATTER. £35,000–£40,000 per annum | Near Saffron Walden, Essex. Are you a passionate HEAD CHEF..
Head Chef
Platinum Recruitment Consultancy
£45,000 a year
ApplyRole: Head Chef. Location: Kettering. Salary: £45,000 + Bonus. Platinum Recruitment is delighted to be working in partnership..
Head Chef
EQ Care Group Direct employer
£32,000 a year
ApplyHead Chef. £32,000 per annum. 40 hours per week (8am - 7pm. Acer Lodge, Eleanor Street, Blackburn, BB1 1JD. Role Overview..
Head chef
HTE Recruitment
£40,000 a year
ApplyHead chef required within driving distance of Eastbourne, the kitchen offers fixed days off and a good mixture of shifts/hours..
Head Chef
Platinum Recruitment Consultancy
£45,000 a year
ApplyHead Chef - £45,000 plus service charge. Lead a quality restaurant near Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. Are you an inspiring..
Head Chef
Doulaitou Management Direct employer
£50,000 a year
ApplyWe are now looking for an exceptional Head Chef to help lead our kitchen brigade and uphold the standards our guests travel for..
Banqueting Head Chef
Platinum Recruitment Consultancy
£42,000 – £43,000 a year
ApplyRole: Banqueting Head Chef. Location: Crieff. Salary / Rate of pay: £42,000. Platinum Recruitment is working in partnership with..
Browse 85 live Head Chef jobs →
How we calculate this. Figures come from live Head Chef vacancies in the CV-Library feed, refreshed monthly. The median uses adverts that state pay; hourly and weekly rates are annualised (hourly × 37.5 × 52). Ambiguous or "competitive" salaries are excluded rather than guessed. Read the full methodology →