Chef Salaries in Northbrook, IL

The average salary for a Chef is USD 66,694 per year in Northbrook, IL. Salaries estimates are based on 8027 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Chef employees in Northbrook, IL.

The highest salary for a Chef in Northbrook, IL is USD 86,431 per year.

The lowest salary for a Chef in Northbrook, IL is USD 51,942 per year.

Chefs often work late into the night. Their wages vary by region and employer, however, pay is usually highest in upscale restaurants and hotels, as well as major metropolitan and resort areas. The highest paid chefs typically attended specialized culinary institutes or apprenticeship programs, but there are instances where chefs with no formal training have opened successful kitchens. Chefs earning a salary can raise their income by investing in their own human capital to move to a higher-paying restaurant. Chefs who own their own restaurant can work to advertise their services and grow their customer base.

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According to ratings on Glassdoor, approximately 68% of chefs believe their current pay is satisfactory. Overall, a chef's salary qualifies as good thanks to $11,537.48 in additional earnings annually. A solid professional network, eight or more years of experience, and professional training also solidify salary.

Chef salaries vary extensively, ranging from $41,505.86 to $108,499.90 with an average of $55,156.84 if you follow the typical chef career path. Gaining experience in the field, building your network, and mastering job-specific skills impact earnings with time, and you can progress to a senior position as a head chef. In this role, you can earn a higher salary and total pay.

To make more money in your chef career, consider a bachelor's degree in culinary arts. Since it's not required at most establishments, it demonstrates a higher level of knowledge, skill, and dedication to your craft, scoring you a higher salary as a chef. Next, focus on gaining as much experience as possible, whether that's through hands-on internships, part-time roles, or on-the-job training. Not only should you master making diverse dishes from scratch, but you should be able to plan menus, order ingredients, handle a kitchen team, manage food safety procedures, and be on top of time management. Certification through the American Culinary Federation underscores your role by highlighting executive-level skills.

When negotiating salary in your chef position, always ask what the kitchen budget is. Every establishment has a budget range for their kitchen professionals, and whether that's $10,000 or $10 million depends on location, setting, and experience level. Seek out establishments with the highest budget in your area of expertise, and negotiate a 5-10% increase. If the salary range for sous-chefs runs between $50,000 and $60,000, for instance, negotiate toward $60,000 by demonstrating a higher level of kitchen knowledge, skill, training, and experience than your peers. Always factor in benefits, such as extra vacation time or job flexibility, and get any bonuses down in writing.

About 68.33% of Chef professionals feel satisfied with their salary, according to anonymous Glassdoor ratings. An additional $11,537 in potential pay per year, among other factors, can qualify the annual pay of a Chef in Northbrook, IL as a good salary.

Chef professionals in Northbrook, IL have a wide total pay range, between $41,506 and $108,500 depending on experience, with an estimated total pay of $66,694 following the average career path of a Chef.