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The differences between executive chefs and chef managers 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 manager. Additionally, an executive chef has an average salary of $59,416, which is higher than the $53,470 average annual salary of a chef manager.
The top three skills for an executive chef include culinary, food preparation and customer service. The most important skills for a chef manager are culinary, fine dining, and customer service.
| Executive Chef | Chef Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $59,416 | $53,470 |
| Hourly rate | $28.57 | $25.71 |
| Growth rate | 15% | 15% |
| Number of jobs | 83,085 | 22,346 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 56% | Associate Degree, 49% |
| 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.
The primary role of a Chef Manager is to supervise food preparation. They may work in varies settings, such as restaurants, schools, and hospitals.
Executive chefs and chef managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Executive Chef | Chef Manager | |
| Average salary | $59,416 | $53,470 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $87,000 | Between $36,000 And $78,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Cherry Hill, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Bridgewater Associates | Alameda Health System |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Professional |
There are a few differences between an executive chef and a chef manager in terms of educational background:
| Executive Chef | Chef Manager | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 56% | Associate Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Culinary Arts | Culinary Arts |
| Most common college | Drexel University | Boston University |
Here are the differences between executive chefs' and chef managers' demographics:
| Executive Chef | Chef Manager | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.5% Female, 12.5% | Male, 77.5% Female, 22.5% |
| 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, 10.4% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 10.4% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |