CHEFS – Contract catering
SALARY CHECKER - 2026
This guide provides an overview of typical salary ranges across key UK cities in the contract catering sector for Executive Chefs, Head Chefs, Sous Chefs and Chef Managers. It’s designed to help candidates and employers benchmark expectations in today’s market.
Important to note: These figures are estimates and may not reflect the exact salaries offered by every employer. Final packages depend on: Size and scale of the site Prestige of the restaurant group Scope of the role and responsibilities Location within the city Candidate’s individual experience and qualifications Many operators also enhance packages with: Performance bonuses or profit-sharing Health cover and pensions Meal allowances Training and career development Data sourced from live COREcruitment vacancies, industry benchmarking, and market analysis & research
COREcruitment Limited | 8 Nile Street, London N1 7RF - Company No: 05470428 | VAT No: 863381118 COREcruitment B.V. - Spuistraat 107 A, 1012 SV AMSTERDAM, Nederland - | KVK: 66496837 | BTW: NL856580107B01 COREcruitment | Unit 403 – 55 East Cordova Street | Vancouver | BC V6A OA5 | Canada Jaded Panada FZCO t/a COREcruitment Ltd (trade no:27422), IFZA Business Park, DDP, Premises Number 29274 – 001, Dubai - UAE
CHEFS – Contract catering
SALARY CHECKER - 2026
EXECUTIVE CHEF
HEAD CHEF
SOUS CHEF
CHEF MANAGER
LONDON
£59,000 - £81,000
£45,000 - £59,000
£35,000 - £45,000
£40,000 - £55,000
BIRMINGHAM
£49,000 - £63,000
£38,000 - £49,000
£28,000 - £37,000
£35,000 - £45,000
MANCHESTER
£49,000 - £65,000
£38,000 - £51,000
£29,000 - £38,000
£36,000 - £46,000
BRIGHTON
£45,000 - £59,000
£36,000 - £46,000
£29,000 - £36,000
£32,000 - £43,000
BRISTOL
£45,000 - £59,000
£36,000 - £46,000
£29,000 - £36,000
£32,000 - £43,000
CARDIFF
£43,000 - £56,000
£35,000 - £44,000
£29,000 - £36,000
£31,000 - £41,000
LEEDS
£45,000 - £56,000
£35,000 - £45,000
£29,000 - £36,000
£32,000 - £42,000
EDINBURGH
£46,000 - £60,000
£37,000 - £48,000
£29,000 - £37,000
£33,000 - £44,000
CAMBRIDGE
£48,000 - £62,000
£38,000 - £49,000
£29,000 - £38,000
£35,000 - £45,000
COREcruitment Limited | 8 Nile Street, London N1 7RF - Company No: 05470428 | VAT No: 863381118 COREcruitment B.V. - Spuistraat 107 A, 1012 SV AMSTERDAM, Nederland - | KVK: 66496837 | BTW: NL856580107B01 COREcruitment | Unit 403 – 55 East Cordova Street | Vancouver | BC V6A OA5 | Canada Jaded Panada FZCO t/a COREcruitment Ltd (trade no:27422), IFZA Business Park, DDP, Premises Number 29274 – 001, Dubai - UAE