Post job

Executive vs head chef

The differences between executives and head chefs can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes More than 10 years to become an executive, becoming a head chef takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an executive has an average salary of $108,285, which is higher than the $45,470 average annual salary of a head chef.

The top three skills for an executive include customer service, digital transformation and healthcare. The most important skills for a head chef are kitchen operations, culinary, and dinner service.

Executive vs head chef overview

ExecutiveHead Chef
Yearly salary$108,285$45,470
Hourly rate$52.06$21.86
Growth rate6%15%
Number of jobs83,86927,331
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Associate Degree, 43%
Average age5242
Years of experience-6

What does an executive do?

An Executive's responsibilities vary depending on an organization or company. However, most of the time, it involves a great deal of leadership and communication. An Executive must oversee and direct employees towards particular sets of goals and vision, create strategies and plans that will benefit the company's financial gains and workforce, and as well as evaluate and analyze the progress of various company departments. Moreover, an Executive holds the power of decision-making, such as in the aspects of budget, promotions, and policies.

What does a head chef do?

A head chef is responsible for the overall culinary satisfaction and dining experience of the guests. Head chefs manage the food production, starting from the preparation to the final presentation. They regularly research the current food trends to adapt to their innovative expertise, creating different cuisines to meet the guests' preferences. They also manage the kitchen staff, delegate tasks, and ensure the adequacy of food ingredients and supplies. A head chef must have excellent communication and organizational skills, adhering to the highest sanitation procedures, and responding to the guests' inquiries and concerns.

Executive vs head chef salary

Executives and head chefs have different pay scales, as shown below.

ExecutiveHead Chef
Average salary$108,285$45,470
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $184,000Between $28,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CityProvidence, RIWellesley, MA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandHawaii
Best paying companyCapgeminiSociety for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between executive and head chef education

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

ExecutiveHead Chef
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Associate Degree, 43%
Most common majorBusinessCulinary Arts
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaDrexel University

Executive vs head chef demographics

Here are the differences between executives' and head chefs' demographics:

ExecutiveHead Chef
Average age5242
Gender ratioMale, 56.0% Female, 44.0%Male, 79.8% Female, 20.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 7.6% White, 76.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 11.2% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage12%9%

Differences between executive and head chef duties and responsibilities

Executive example responsibilities.

  • Manage capital investments and operating costs to generate ROI, IRR and cash flow.
  • Facilitate KPI dashboard for actual performance to forecast/targets and drive action plans to achieve them.
  • Manage reputation for search engine optimization, and reputation of website and business as a whole through SEO.
  • Manage several multi-phase DoD programs and projects simultaneously.
  • Manage events for fundraising, donor recognition and alumni relations.
  • Delegate & execute human resources, payroll management, marketing/sales techniques training & development.
  • Show more

Head chef example responsibilities.

  • Hire, train, and manage a staff of cooks, also train servers and cross train dishwashers.
  • Manage a kitchen of military personal and Japanese civilian chefs.
  • Supervise, coordinate and direct all culinary activities within the food service department.
  • Work manned omelet and brunch stations in dining room.
  • Develop HACCP plans for every fresh item carry on premises.
  • Assist with setup and break down of equipment for parties, meetings and brunch.
  • Show more

Executive vs head chef skills

Common executive skills
  • Customer Service, 20%
  • Digital Transformation, 15%
  • Healthcare, 10%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 8%
  • Financial Statements, 5%
  • Business Development, 4%
Common head chef skills
  • Kitchen Operations, 27%
  • Culinary, 9%
  • Dinner Service, 6%
  • Food Service, 5%
  • Cuisine, 3%
  • Safety Standards, 3%

Browse executive management jobs