Quick answer A private chef runs the kitchen of a private residence or estate to fine-dining standards, often travelling with the family. Pay is typically $39–$78 an hour in New York City, NY and AED 8,000–AED 18,000 a month in the UAE. Choose your city below for local pay, requirements and open positions.
Private Chef pay by city 🇺🇸 United States City Typical pay Full-time monthly New York City, NY $39–$78 / hour $6,750–$13,500 Los Angeles, CA $36–$72 / hour $6,250–$12,450 Chicago, IL $35–$69 / hour $6,050–$11,950 Houston, TX $34–$67 / hour $5,900–$11,600 Dallas, TX $34–$68 / hour $5,900–$11,750 Miami, FL $33–$66 / hour $5,700–$11,400 Seattle, WA $40–$80 / hour $6,900–$13,850 Austin, TX $37–$73 / hour $6,400–$12,650 San Francisco, CA $40–$81 / hour $6,900–$14,000 Boston, MA $38–$75 / hour $6,550–$13,000 Atlanta, GA $34–$68 / hour $5,900–$11,750 Plano, TX $36–$71 / hour $6,250–$12,300
🇨🇦 Canada City Typical pay Full-time monthly Toronto, ON C$43–C$86 / hour C$7,450–C$14,900 Vancouver, BC C$42–C$84 / hour C$7,250–C$14,550 Montreal, QC C$40–C$80 / hour C$6,900–C$13,850 Calgary, AB C$43–C$87 / hour C$7,450–C$15,050
🇬🇧 United Kingdom City Typical pay Full-time monthly London, ENG £27–£53 / hour £4,650–£9,150 Manchester, ENG £23–£46 / hour £4,000–£7,950 Birmingham, ENG £23–£45 / hour £4,000–£7,800 Edinburgh, SCT £24–£48 / hour £4,150–£8,300
🇩🇪 Germany City Typical pay Full-time monthly Berlin, BE €24–€48 / hour €4,150–€8,300 Munich, BY €26–€52 / hour €4,500–€9,000 Frankfurt, HE €26–€52 / hour €4,500–€9,000 Hamburg, HH €25–€49 / hour €4,350–€8,500
🇦🇺 Australia City Typical pay Full-time monthly Sydney, NSW A$54–A$108 / hour A$9,350–A$18,700 Melbourne, VIC A$52–A$105 / hour A$9,000–A$18,150 Brisbane, QLD A$52–A$103 / hour A$9,000–A$17,800 Perth, WA A$55–A$109 / hour A$9,500–A$18,850
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates City Typical pay Full-time monthly Dubai, DXB AED 8,000–AED 18,000 / month AED 8,000–AED 18,000 Abu Dhabi, AUH AED 8,000–AED 18,000 / month AED 8,000–AED 18,000 Sharjah, SHJ AED 8,000–AED 18,000 / month AED 8,000–AED 18,000
🇨🇭 Switzerland City Typical pay Full-time monthly Zurich, ZH CHF 50–CHF 100 / hour CHF 8,650–CHF 17,300 Geneva, GE CHF 49–CHF 98 / hour CHF 8,500–CHF 16,950 Basel, BS CHF 49–CHF 99 / hour CHF 8,500–CHF 17,150
Indicative ranges based on local salary levels and published household pay; individual offers vary.
What the job involves Create bespoke menus for the principal and guests Cook for dinner parties and formal events Manage kitchen staff, suppliers and wine pairings Travel to secondary residences or yachts when required Maintain discretion and confidentiality What families ask for Fine-dining or Michelin-level experience Private service references Food safety certificate Flexibility to travel A typical day Typical day — Private Chef An example day — real schedules are agreed with each family. 7:00 Breakfast service 9:30 Shopping & prep 12:30 Lunch 15:00 Batch cooking 18:30 Dinner & clean-down Related cooking & kitchen jobs