Private Chef jobs in Chicago, IL typically pay $35–$69 an hour (about $6,050–$11,950 a month full time). Both live-in and live-out positions are offered, with a usual schedule of full-time, often rotational. Employers ask for fine-dining or Michelin-level experience and a criminal background check. Register with AvailJob to be matched with families hiring in Chicago.
- Typical pay
- $35–$69
- per hour
- Full-time monthly
- $6,050–$11,950
- about 40 hours a week
- Live-in
- Sometimes
- accommodation provided
- Schedule
- Full-time
- often rotational
- Open now
- 0
- register to be matched
Open private chef positions in Chicago
No open position is listed for Chicago today. New private chef jobs are added as families hire. Register once and we will match you to the next opening near you.
Register as a Private ChefAbout private chef jobs in Chicago
Working as a private chef in Chicago, IL means joining a private household. The private chef runs the kitchen of a private residence or estate to fine-dining standards, often travelling with the family, and families across Chicagoland Area hire for this role all year round.
Chicago is known for finance, commodities trading, logistics, and architecture, and many of the families who hire domestic staff here work for employers such as Boeing, United Airlines, McDonald's, CME Group, and Morningstar. Chicago's Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) is the world's largest futures exchange.
Main duties
- 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
Private Chef pay in Chicago
Household incomes in Chicago are shaped by an average local salary of around $70,000, which is why private chef pay here sits close to the USA average. Pay rises with experience, references, live-in flexibility and extra duties such as driving or cooking.
Indicative ranges for 2026 based on local salary levels and published household pay; individual offers vary.
A day as a private chef
- 7:00Breakfast service
- 9:30Shopping & prep
- 12:30Lunch
- 15:00Batch cooking
- 18:30Dinner & clean-down
Why work in Chicago?
The local job market is growing at 2.3% annually, so demand for reliable household staff keeps rising as more dual-income families move to Chicago.
Chicago is often described as “Midwest's Financial and Commercial Capital”, and its households expect a professional standard of service.
Requirements
What families ask for
- Fine-dining or Michelin-level experience
- Private service references
- Food safety certificate
- Flexibility to travel
Working in United States
- Right to work in United States: Workers must be authorised to work in the United States, and employers complete Form I-9 to verify eligibility.
- Checks: employers usually ask for a criminal background check, identity and Social Security verification, a motor-vehicle record for driving roles and, for childcare, a sex-offender registry search.
- Minimum pay: wages must meet the federal minimum wage or the higher state and city minimum, whichever applies.
- Contract: A written work agreement covering duties, hours, pay, overtime, paid time off, termination notice and confidentiality prevents most disputes.
Live-in or live-out?
Most private chef roles in Chicago are live-out, paid by the hour and booked for regular days. Ask whether travel time between homes, evenings or weekends are paid at a higher rate.
How to get hired
- Register
Create your profile with your private chef experience, availability and references.
- Verification
Complete USA right-to-work and background checks.
- Interview & trial
Meet the family and work a short, paid trial day.
- Contract & start
Agree pay, hours and leave in writing before you start.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private chef earn in Chicago, IL?
Private Chef jobs in Chicago, IL typically pay $35–$69 an hour (about $6,050–$11,950 a month full time). Experience, live-in arrangements, hours and extra duties move pay within this range.
Are there live-in private chef jobs in Chicago?
Both live-in and live-out positions are offered. Most private chef roles in Chicago are live-out, paid by the hour and booked for regular days.
What do I need to work as a private chef in USA?
Employers ask for fine-dining or Michelin-level experience, private service references and a criminal background check. You must also have the right to work in United States.
What does a private chef do day to day?
A private chef runs the kitchen of a private residence or estate to fine-dining standards, often travelling with the family. Typical duties include create bespoke menus for the principal and guests, cook for dinner parties and formal events, manage kitchen staff, suppliers and wine pairings.
How do I apply for private chef jobs in Chicago on AvailJob?
Register your profile with your experience, availability and references. When a family in Chicago hires for this role, you are matched and contacted.
What hours does a private chef work?
A typical schedule is full-time, often rotational. Hours, days off and overtime should be written into your contract.