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The differences between head 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 a head chef and a chef manager. Additionally, a chef manager has an average salary of $53,470, which is higher than the $45,470 average annual salary of a head chef.
The top three skills for a head chef include kitchen operations, culinary and dinner service. The most important skills for a chef manager are culinary, fine dining, and customer service.
| Head Chef | Chef Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $45,470 | $53,470 |
| Hourly rate | $21.86 | $25.71 |
| Growth rate | 15% | 15% |
| Number of jobs | 27,331 | 22,346 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 43% | Associate Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
The primary role of a Chef Manager is to supervise food preparation. They may work in varies settings, such as restaurants, schools, and hospitals.
Head chefs and chef managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Head Chef | Chef Manager | |
| Average salary | $45,470 | $53,470 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $71,000 | Between $36,000 And $78,000 |
| Highest paying City | Wellesley, MA | Cherry Hill, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics | Alameda Health System |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Professional |
There are a few differences between a head chef and a chef manager in terms of educational background:
| Head Chef | Chef Manager | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 43% | Associate Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Culinary Arts | Culinary Arts |
| Most common college | Drexel University | Boston University |
Here are the differences between head chefs' and chef managers' demographics:
| Head Chef | Chef Manager | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.8% Female, 20.2% | Male, 77.5% Female, 22.5% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |