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The differences between executive chefs and chef/kitchen managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an executive chef has an average salary of $59,416, which is higher than the $49,415 average annual salary of a chef/kitchen manager.
The top three skills for an executive chef include culinary, food preparation and customer service. The most important skills for a chef/kitchen manager are kitchen operations, culinary, and wine.
| Executive Chef | Chef/Kitchen Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $59,416 | $49,415 |
| Hourly rate | $28.57 | $23.76 |
| Growth rate | 15% | 15% |
| Number of jobs | 83,085 | 38,242 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 56% | Associate Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 42 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 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 kitchen manager or chef is someone who oversees the overall operations in the kitchen as well as the food operations. Kitchen managers make certain that food and related products are well prepared, cooked, and served to customers. They maintain a fully-stocked kitchen inventory and comply with the cleanliness and safety standards. It is their responsibility to manage the kitchen staff and aid them in delivering quality food at the right time. They need to possess management skills, leadership skills, and attention to detail.
Executive chefs and chef/kitchen managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Executive Chef | Chef/Kitchen Manager | |
| Average salary | $59,416 | $49,415 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $87,000 | Between $34,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | New York |
| Best paying company | Bridgewater Associates | Castilleja School |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between an executive chef and a chef/kitchen manager in terms of educational background:
| Executive Chef | Chef/Kitchen Manager | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 56% | Associate Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Culinary Arts | Culinary Arts |
| Most common college | Drexel University | - |
Here are the differences between executive chefs' and chef/kitchen managers' demographics:
| Executive Chef | Chef/Kitchen Manager | |
| Average age | 42 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.5% Female, 12.5% | Male, 79.9% Female, 20.1% |
| 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, 10.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 6.3% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 10% |