How much does a sous chef make?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics groups this role under Chefs and Head Cooks (SOC 35-1011). In its May 2025 wage survey, the national median was $30.03 an hour, or about $62,470 a year for full-time work, across roughly 200,040 people employed nationally. The middle of the market sits between $18.22 at the 10th percentile and $47.39 at the 90th.
Sous Chef pay in Boston
In the Boston-Cambridge-Newton metro area, the median for chefs and head cooks was $34.84 an hour ($72,470a year), reflecting Massachusetts' higher minimum wage and cost of living.
What moves the number
Sous chef pay depends on market, restaurant size, and whether the role is hourly or salaried, along with the level of responsibility. Higher-volume and fine dining kitchens tend to pay more, as do roles that include ordering and cost accountability. Benefits like health insurance and paid time off can matter as much as the base rate.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. BLS figures for tipped roles may not capture all tip income. The BLS category is the closest official match for this role, not an exact one.
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