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The differences between executive chefs and kitchen managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an executive chef, becoming a kitchen manager takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an executive chef has an average salary of $59,416, which is higher than the $50,448 average annual salary of a kitchen manager.
The top three skills for an executive chef include culinary, food preparation and customer service. The most important skills for a kitchen manager are customer service, kitchen equipment, and cleanliness.
| Executive Chef | Kitchen Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $59,416 | $50,448 |
| Hourly rate | $28.57 | $24.25 |
| Growth rate | 15% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 83,085 | 151,781 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 56% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
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 is responsible for supervising overall kitchen operations duties, checking food storage, and distributing appropriate kitchen staff tasks. Kitchen managers' jobs also include monitoring food preparation, ensuring that all orders and serving portions are correct, organizing menu prices, researching current market trends of the food industry, and maintaining the highest sanitation procedures. Kitchen managers should also assist guests with their inquiries, manage concerns, and handle complaints. They should have excellent communication and leadership skills to lead the kitchen staff in providing the best customer experience.
Executive chefs and kitchen managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Executive Chef | Kitchen Manager | |
| Average salary | $59,416 | $50,448 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $87,000 | Between $37,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Bridgewater Associates | Hillstone Restaurant Group |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between an executive chef and a kitchen manager in terms of educational background:
| Executive Chef | Kitchen Manager | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 56% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Culinary Arts | Culinary Arts |
| Most common college | Drexel University | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between executive chefs' and kitchen managers' demographics:
| Executive Chef | Kitchen Manager | |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.5% Female, 12.5% | Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0% |
| 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, 10.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 59.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 10% |