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Avg. salary range
$53k–$70k
across regions
Hours / Day
10
Days / Week
4
working days
About this career
A head chef is the person in charge of running a kitchen on a day-to-day basis. They plan menus, prepare and oversee the cooking of food, and make sure meals taste good and are presented well. The head chef also supervises other cooks and kitchen staff, giving instructions and making sure everyone works together efficiently. In addition to cooking, a head chef is responsible for keeping the kitchen organized and safe. They help manage food supplies, follow health and safety rules, and solve problems during busy meal times. Head chefs usually work their way up by gaining experience in different kitchen roles and need strong teamwork, leadership, and time-management 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
Hover or tap a skill to learn more.
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.
Hospitality
How does it compare?
Average Salary
$59,600
Overall Rank
150th
out of 199 careers
In Hospitality
6th
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
