Researching and Found Something Odd, Need Help From Chefs In US, UK, Aus, Can

[Stewy]

Hey guys, I am starting culinary school next week and have been doing a little research on what jobs are out there, and the salaries of different parts of the world. I found something that struck me as odd, and was wondering if you guys could sort it out for me.
I have been considering moving out of the country after culinary school and was searching salaries at different parts of the world. I noticed that salaries are *a lot* higher outside of the U.S. and was wondering if this is true.

Here is what I found.

Average salary, 1 year experience as a chef (all in USD):
Orange County, CA - $42,000
Miami, FL - $38,000
New Orleans, LA - $37,000
Sydney, Australia - $75,000 ($105,000 AUD)
London, UK - $100,000 ($55,000 GBP)
Vancouver, BC - $55,000 ($72,000 CAD)

Is the pay really that much better outside of the states or is this a mistake?

Thanks.

[Anneke]

I don't know too many chefs in Canada who make 72K after one year. Where did you get those figures?

[Stewy]

Sorry, maybe not one year.

Got the US numbers from salary.com
International numbers from careerbuilder.com

For the US job, sous chef. I thought this was an entry level job, but after reading up on the site, apparently I am wrong.
For the internation jobs they only had a 'chef' option, so I guess that is an average of all chefs.

I guess my question is; Is the money better in or out of the states?

BTW -- I don't want to sound like I am in it for the money, I just want to have myself in the best possible position. I would also like to live in another country for at least a little while in my life, and am searching for excuses to leave.

[yanick]

As we speak there's less than 2% of the Executive Chef earning that much in Canada, if you have talent and a great work ethic your salary will go up fast!
the average for salary for a Chef is 52K cad in the province of quebec, salaries are much better in the bahamas

[Nick.Shu]

oh mate, i can tell you entry level jobs in sydney are a lot less lower than $105,000 per year (AUD), because if it was the case, then there would be a definite glut of chefs in australia.

a more conservative amount (read realistic) for an entry level job in australia would be more circa $28,000 to $35,000 AUD.

In my circumstances, its around $45,000 to $60,000 after 5 years experience (post apprenticeship)

i used the same sight and got a unrealistic average of $112,500 for sydney chefs. obviously there are a few who are getting extremely high pay rates.

[Anneke]

We have to make the distinction here between entry level cook and a chef. You don't become a chef (or sous-chef) after culinary school, or an apprenticeship. You will toil many years for very little pay before you can earn that title. Or you can skip ahead and be an executive chef for a second rate diner, where you will again be making nowhere near those figures.

Good on you for doing some checking on these figures...

[miahoyhoy]

when you get out of school you will (probably) be employed as a cook. If you are good and lucky maybe a lead cook but most probably not a Chef or Sous Chef.
Cooks wages range from $8/hour to $16/hour.

[potnoodle86]

The Average wage in england for a Head chef is about £30k there's a shortage of good chef's at the moment so wage's have gone up ..I'm based in Liverpool and trying to find chef's who can cook and not just "ping" is hard work..

[Stewy]

Originally Posted by potnoodle86

The Average wage in england for a Head chef is about £30k there's a shortage of good chef's at the moment so wage's have gone up ..I'm based in Liverpool and trying to find chef's who can cook and not just "ping" is hard work..

That's what an executive chef makes? That's horrible compared to here...

[Freakchef]

Hello there Ive been working in Vancouver for 8 years now and The most I ever got paid was 36k but mind ya no hoilday pay and no time off. I also notice that aveage term of a chef in this town it 2-3 years unless you own your own place then its a toss up.

[potnoodle86]

Originally Posted by Stewy

That's what an executive chef makes? That's horrible compared to here...

That's for a Head Chef..not en exc'..london will be alot higher. but the northwest is still tring to catch up with the south of england in terms of pay structure.There's a huge divide in uk in terms of pay and the cost of living..

[coolJ]

I wouldn't figure anyone in the restaurant industry here in Kamloops makes that much, I could be mistaken, but that's my theory.

[Stewy]

Originally Posted by potnoodle86

That's for a Head Chef..not en exc'..london will be alot higher. but the northwest is still tring to catch up with the south of england in terms of pay structure.There's a huge divide in uk in terms of pay and the cost of living..

Oh ok, that's cool. You wouldn't happen to know what the pay in London would you?

[Freakchef]

when i was in N. Ireland I got paid 28kGBP for a sous chef and when I was in Sommerset I got 10gbp and hour but I worked for 6 hours a day mind ya it was a pub.

[miahoyhoy]

Remember, you won't start as a Chef. I'm only stating this because too many recently graduated students think they are going to be chefs right out of school. Besides a diploma, work experience is thouroughly expected before one can reach that title.