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The differences between executive chefs and chefs can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an executive chef and a chef. Additionally, an executive chef has an average salary of $59,416, which is higher than the $46,824 average annual salary of a chef.
The top three skills for an executive chef include culinary, food preparation and customer service. The most important skills for a chef are customer service, food handling, and culinary.
| Executive Chef | Chef | |
| Yearly salary | $59,416 | $46,824 |
| Hourly rate | $28.57 | $22.51 |
| Growth rate | 15% | 15% |
| Number of jobs | 83,085 | 65,737 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 4 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 56% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Executive chefs are considered the lead chefs in a restaurant. They manage the restaurant's kitchen, including all other chefs employed by the restaurant. Executive chefs are in charge of creating menu items and ensuring that the restaurant's menu is in line with the restaurant's identity. They handle the management of the pantry and ensure that it is well-stocked. They also ensure that all kitchen equipment and fixtures are working well. Executive chefs are responsible for training new chefs on the job to ensure consistent food quality.
A chef is the master of the kitchen--someone who is creative and innovative with food. Chefs are the pride and reputation of each restaurant or dining establishments. They make sure every meal served is fresh and oversees the kitchen operation. They also create recipes, study menus, and prepare significant-high-quality dishes that represent the restaurant. They say academic requirements aren't needed, but anyone who has a passion for food and cooking can be a chef.
Executive chefs and chefs have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Executive Chef | Chef | |
| Average salary | $59,416 | $46,824 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $87,000 | Between $31,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Urban Honolulu, HI |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Bridgewater Associates | Bridgewater Associates |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an executive chef and a chef in terms of educational background:
| Executive Chef | Chef | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 56% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Culinary Arts | Culinary Arts |
| Most common college | Drexel University | Drexel University |
Here are the differences between executive chefs' and chefs' demographics:
| Executive Chef | Chef | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.5% Female, 12.5% | Male, 74.8% Female, 25.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 10.8% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 11.4% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |