Our Articles

H1: Private Chef Salary Guide 2025/26

Understanding compensation is the first step in creating a successful and lasting partnership between a client and a culinary professional. As a leading global agency, Montclair Chef is committed to providing transparency and insight into the private chef market. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of industry-standard salaries for 2025/26, based on our global placement data and market analysis.

Please note that these figures represent base salaries and can vary based on a candidate's specific experience, the complexity of the role, and the full compensation package offered.

Full-Time Estate & Residence Chef Salaries

These roles are typically permanent, year-round positions within a primary residence.

Region

Salary Range (Annual)

Key Considerations

USA (NYC, LA, Miami)

$120,000 - $300,000+ USD

Higher end reflects roles requiring management of multiple properties or staff.

Europe (London, Monaco, Geneva)

€90,000 - €160,000+ EUR

London salaries often at the top end. Experience in formal households is key.

Middle East (Dubai, Riyadh)

$100,000 - $180,000+ USD (often tax-free)

Roles often include housing, car, and annual flights. Experience with local cuisine is a major plus.

Superyacht Chef Salaries

Yacht chef salaries are typically paid monthly and are highly dependent on the vessel's size and itinerary (private vs. charter).

Yacht Size

Salary Range (Monthly)

Key Considerations

40-60 meters

€7,000 - €10,000 EUR

Often a Sole Chef role requiring extreme versatility.

60-80 meters

€8,500 - €12,000 EUR

May be a Head Chef role with a Sous Chef or crew cook.

80+ meters

€10,000 - €18,000+ EUR

Head Chef role leading a full galley team. Charter experience commands a premium.

Specialised & Seasonal Chef Salaries

These roles are for fixed terms or highly specific skill sets.

Role Type

Salary Range (Monthly)

Key Considerations

Seasonal Villa/Chalet Chef

€8,000 - €15,000+ EUR

Hamptons/Alps. Higher end for peak season and major holidays.

Performance/Athlete Chef

$10,000 - $20,000+ USD

Dependent on the athlete's profile, travel schedule, and specific nutritional demands.

Traveling Chef (Multi-Property)

Varies Greatly

Typically 15-25% higher than a comparable single-residence role due to logistical demands.

Key Factors That Influence Compensation

A chef's salary is determined by more than just their cooking. Several key factors create the final number:

• Experience & Pedigree: A background in Michelin restaurants or extensive experience with UHNW families will command a top-tier salary.
• Scope of Duties: Is the chef only cooking for the principals, or are they also responsible for staff meals, large-scale entertaining, and managing other kitchen staff?
• Travel Requirements: Roles requiring frequent or international travel always carry a significant salary premium.
• Specialised Knowledge: Expertise in areas like sports nutrition, specific dietary protocols (keto, plant-based), or advanced pastry work increases a chef's value.
• Personality & Cultural Fit: A chef's ability to seamlessly integrate into a specific household's culture, dynamics, and service style is a major factor in long-term success and can influence compensation. This is where an expert agency provides the most value.

Beyond Salary: How Top Chefs Increase Their Earning Potential

The highest salaries are commanded by chefs who are committed to continuous growth. Top-tier clients often invest in their chef's skills as a way to enhance their own lifestyle, creating unparalleled opportunities for professional development. A complete package often includes:

• Health & Dental Insurance
• Discretionary Performance Bonuses
• Paid Leave / Vacation Time
• Accommodation (for live-in roles or relocations)
• Use of a Vehicle
• Continuous Professional Development: This can include:
  
  • Specialised Training: Being sent to Japan to learn the art of sushi from a master at the Tokyo Sushi Academy, or to Las Vegas to study at the prestigious Pastry Academy by Amaury Guichon.
  • Client-Sponsored Courses: Full funding for specific courses beneficial to superyacht owners and charter guests, such as advanced yacht chef training with experts like The Galley Gang.
  • Learning from the Best: Unique opportunities to stage at the principal's favourite restaurants. Imagine being sent to a 3 Michelin Star restaurant like The French Laundry to master their recipe of the classic French Onion soup, or to a world-renowned restaurant such as L'enclume in the UK to understand their world-renowned farm-to-table philosophy.

Navigating Your Next Step

Whether you are a client seeking to understand the market or a chef benchmarking your value, this guide provides a transparent overview.

• For Clients: We invite you to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your specific needs. We can provide a precise and tailored compensation analysis for your unique role.
• For Chefs: If your experience aligns with these top-tier roles, we invite you to submit your CV to be considered for exclusive opportunities within our global network.

About the Author Chris Demaillet has spent more than two decades in the kitchens that others only read about. As a Michelin-trained chef for UHNW families and on superyachts, he saw a need for an agency that truly understood the nuances of private service. He founded Montclair Chef to be that agency, using his insider's perspective to make perfect placements built on trust, skill, and discretion.