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Avg. salary range
$53k–$70k
across regions
Hours / Day
10
Days / Week
4
working days
About this career
An executive chef is the top leader of a kitchen or group of kitchens and focuses more on the big picture than daily cooking. While a head chef runs the kitchen day to day and is often hands-on with preparing food, the executive chef sets the overall vision. They design menus, decide the style of food, and make sure all dishes meet quality standards. Executive chefs may oversee multiple restaurants or kitchens, while head chefs usually manage just one. In addition to guiding the kitchen’s creative direction, executive chefs handle many business and leadership responsibilities. They manage budgets, control food costs, order supplies, and hire and train head chefs and other staff. Executive chefs spend less time cooking and more time planning, leading, and making decisions that help the restaurant succeed. This role typically comes after many years of kitchen experience and requires strong leadership, organization, and communication skills.
Career Level
Where you could work
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Where do we get our data?
Our career data is based on regional averages provided by the Spokane Workforce Council. Data is subject to change based on location, job specialty, experience level, and/or union association.
What you'll need
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Leadership
Do you work well in a group setting? Are you good at building relationships with others? Are you good at recognizing the skills of others?
Planning
Do you often take notes or make lists? Do you manage you time efficiently? Are you able to prioritize important tasks?
Problem Solving
Do you enjoy solving puzzles? Are you able to easily identify the cause of a problem?
Communication
Are you able to write or vocalize your thoughts efficiently? Can you retain information that you hear or read?
Strength/ Dexterity
Are you able to lift a moderate amount of weight without any issue? Can you stand or walk for an extended period of time?
Education & Training
High School Diploma
A high school diploma is a North American academic qualification awarded upon high school graduation. The high school diploma is typically studied for over the course of four years, from Grade 9 to Grade 12.
Compensation
Spokane
Washington
Low
$40,900
Average
$53,100
High
$63,700
Washington minimum wage
Salary data reflects regional averages and may vary by employer, experience, and specialization.
Work Schedule
Shift cycle
4 on · 4 off per cycle
Typical shifts are 8 to 10 hours long but times can be any time of the day. Shifts are usually 4 or 5 days a week but are not limited to weekdays.
How does it compare?
Average Salary
$59,600
Overall Rank
149th
out of 199 careers
In Hospitality
5th
out of 18 careers
Salary distribution
Rankings are based on average salary data across all careers in our database. Individual earnings may vary.
See it in action
