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Executive chef vs master chef

The differences between executive chefs and master 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 master chef. Additionally, an executive chef has an average salary of $59,416, which is higher than the $42,525 average annual salary of a master chef.

The top three skills for an executive chef include culinary, food preparation and customer service. The most important skills for a master chef are dinner service, food products, and cuisine.

Executive chef vs master chef overview

Executive ChefMaster Chef
Yearly salary$59,416$42,525
Hourly rate$28.57$20.44
Growth rate15%15%
Number of jobs83,08526,517
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

Executive chef vs master chef salary

Executive chefs and master chefs have different pay scales, as shown below.

Executive ChefMaster Chef
Average salary$59,416$42,525
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $87,000Between $26,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateHawaii-
Best paying companyBridgewater Associates-
Best paying industryHospitality-

Differences between executive chef and master chef education

There are a few differences between an executive chef and a master chef in terms of educational background:

Executive ChefMaster Chef
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsCulinary Arts
Most common collegeDrexel UniversityDrexel University

Executive chef vs master chef demographics

Here are the differences between executive chefs' and master chefs' demographics:

Executive ChefMaster Chef
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 87.5% Female, 12.5%Male, 66.8% Female, 33.2%
Race ratioBlack 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, 11.2% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 12.4% White, 53.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between executive chef and master chef duties and responsibilities

Executive chef example responsibilities.

  • Manage a kitchen of military personal and Japanese civilian chefs.
  • Cater off-premise events, parties, holiday dinners and seasonal BBQ cookouts.
  • Own and operate a full charge BBQ catering business from a 30 foot mobile kitchen.
  • Close high percentage of sales opportunities for large builder and designer accounts with strategic VIP events.
  • Supervise high volume and VIP catering events to include black tie, charity and outdoor events.
  • Create systems to control BOH operations including: purchasing, receiving, storage, inventory & food cost tracking.
  • Show more

Master chef example responsibilities.

  • Integrate key culinary leaders into casino and food and beverage operations, achieving positive results and industry awards.
  • Serve American traditional cuisine in a family, shared-plate orientation while providing excellent customer service and mingling with high priority customers.
  • Specialize in Italian, Mediterranean and French/Classical bistro establishments.

Executive chef vs master chef skills

Common executive chef skills
  • Culinary, 14%
  • Food Preparation, 8%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Kitchen Operations, 6%
  • Food Safety, 5%
  • Food Service, 5%
Common master chef skills
  • Dinner Service, 32%
  • Food Products, 24%
  • Cuisine, 24%
  • Food Service, 12%
  • BBQ, 9%

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