How Much Does a Personal Chef Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$47,940
Personal chefs in the U.S. earn a median of $47,940 a year, or $23.05 an hour. Half of personal chefs earn more than $47,940 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $91,130.
Pay percentiles for personal chefs
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17.35 | $36,090 |
| 25th | $19.54 | $40,630 |
| 50th (median) | $23.05 | $47,940 |
| 75th | $26.66 | $55,450 |
| 90th | $43.81 | $91,130 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Cooks, Private Household (SOC 35-2013). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for personal chefs
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $37,440 | $18.00 | −22% |
| United States | $47,940 | $23.05 | — |
Top 1 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many personal chefs are there?
BLS counts about 1,100 personal chefs employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Cooks, Private Household”. The most jobs are in New York (140) and California (110).
The mean (average) annual wage is $53,680, higher than the median of $47,940.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $3,995
- Biweekly
- $1,844
- Weekly
- $922
- Daily (8 hours)
- $184
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do personal chefs make an hour?
The median hourly wage for personal chefs is $23.05. The middle 50% earn between $19.54 and $26.66 an hour.
Which state pays personal chefs the most?
Among states with published data, New York has the highest median wage for personal chefs at $37,440, −22% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for personal chefs?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of personal chefs earn less than $36,090 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.