Hotel & gastronomy: Your salary as a chef │ HOGASTJOB - Hogastjob
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How much do you earn in the kitchen?

09.04.2024

from Claudia

Working as a chef - your salary

Don't talk about money? Not at all. We say: don't be shy when it comes to the subject of finances! It's right and important that you find out about your earnings as a chef.

The number of years of service and your specific training play a role in determining the figure that actually appears on your paycheck. As in the case of other professions in the catering and hotel industry , as a chef you will generally be paid according to the collective agreement customary in the industry.

The good news is that the industry is currently in a state of upheaval and many companies are paying significantly higher salaries than those stipulated in collective agreements.

We will tell you what opportunities you have in terms of earnings in the hotel and catering industry.

Current jobs in the kitchen

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Hotel & Gastronomy: Cooking profession and the respective salary

How much does a dishwasher earn? What salary is a head chef entitled to? And: What do you actually earn in the first few years of employment? The collective agreement for restaurant and hotel employees provides the answers. Important to note: Salaries vary depending on the federal state. Therefore: Find out exactly which salary scale applies to you!

As with any job, your skills and experience in the kitchen have a significant influence on how much money you receive each month. The collective agreement provides for five wage groups. Depending on your level of training, your job will be assigned to one of these groups. We have compiled the salary details and important information for the federal state of Salzburg as an example.

Wage groups according to area of responsibility

  • Wage group 1 (catering and hotel employees with a large area of responsibility): Head chef, kitchen manager
  • Wage group 2 (qualified employees with a somewhat extended area of responsibility): Head chef, kitchen manager who does not fall under wage group 1, deputy head chef, chef de partie
  • Wage group 3 (skilled workers with a job-related area of responsibility): Cook, chef de partie who does not fall into wage group 2 due to a smaller area of responsibility, catering specialist, system caterer
  • Wage group 4 (skilled workers in the relevant occupational field in the 1st and 2nd year of employment): Cook, catering specialist, system caterer, baker, confectioner
  • Wage group 5 (employees without completed relevant vocational training): Assistant cook, dishwasher, kitchen assistant

Salzburg: your salary in the kitchen*

First and second year of employment
  • Wage group I: -
  • Wage group II: -
  • Wage group III: -
  • Wage group IV: 1,860.-€
  • Wage group V: -
From 3 years in the profession
  • Wage group I: € 2,350.- €
  • Wage group II: € 2,110.- €
  • Wage group III: 1,925.- €
  • Wage group IV: -
  • Wage group V: € 1,800.- €
4 to 6 professional years
  • Wage group I: € 2,385.30 €
  • Wage group II: € 2,141.70 €
  • Wage group III: € 1,953.90 €
  • Wage group IV: -
  • Wage group V: 1.827.- €
7 to 9 professional years
  • Wage group I: € 2,420.50 €
  • Wage group II: € 2,173.30 €
  • Wage group III: € 1,982.80 €
  • Wage group IV: -
  • Wage group V: 1,854.- €
10 to 12 professional years
  • Wage group I: € 2,455.80 €
  • Wage group II: 2,205,- €
  • Wage group III: € 2,011.60 €
  • Wage group IV: -
  • Wage group V: € 1.881.- €
13 to 15 years in the profession
  • Wage group I: € 2.491.- €
  • Wage group II: € 2,236.60 €
  • Wage group III: € 2,040.50 €
  • Wage group IV: -
  • Wage group V: € 1,908.- €
16 to 18 years in the profession
  • Wage group I: € 2,526.50 €
  • Wage group II: € 2,268.30 €
  • Wage group III: € 2,069.40 €
  • Wage group IV: -
  • Wage group V: 1,935.- €
19 to 21 years in the profession
  • Wage group I: € 2,561.50 €
  • Wage group II: € 2,268.30 €
  • Wage group III: € 2,069.40 €
  • Wage group IV: -
  • Wage group V: € 1,962.- €
22 to 24 years in the profession
  • Wage group I: € 2,596.80 €
  • Wage group II: € 2,331.60 €
  • Wage group III: € 2,127.10 €
  • Wage group IV: -
  • Wage group V: 1,989.- €
From 25 years of employment
  • Wage group I: € 2,632.- €
  • Wage group II: € 2,363.20 €
  • Wage group III: € 2,156.- €
  • Wage group IV: -
  • Wage group V: € 2,016.- €

* Source: WKO; figures correspond to the gross monthly salary in euros

How much do I earn as an apprentice chef?

Would you like to complete an apprenticeship as a chef in a hotel or restaurant in Salzburg? Then you can expect to earn the following monthly salary:

Then you can expect to earn the following:

  • 1. Year of apprenticeship: 925 euros
  • 2. Year of apprenticeship: 1,035 euros
  • 3. Year of apprenticeship: 1,215 euros
  • 4. Year of apprenticeship or double apprenticeship: 1,305 euros

Tips & tricks for your salary negotiation

The average salary of a chef is between 24,900 and 35,700 euros gross per year. Even if the collective agreement provides for a clear classification - to climb the salary pyramid, you need one thing above all: negotiating skills. Prepare well for recruitment and salary discussions! You can find lots of practical information in our guide.

Tipping for cooks?

Tipping is no longer just a popular source of additional income in service. In many establishments, efforts are made to distribute tips fairly. Kitchen staff are also taken into consideration. Do you want to help your service staff earn more tips as a team? With our tips, you're sure to succeed.

Jobs as a chef in top companies

Now that you know how much salary you are entitled to and as soon as you have optimally prepared yourself with our tips for the salary interview, it's time to find your dream job, apply and start cooking! On HOGASTJOB you will find well-known employers in the hotel and catering industry who offer you mega benefits in addition to a fair salary. Use the practical filter function to narrow down the job profile and work location according to your wishes and complete your application with just a few clicks!

Facts