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The differences between head 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 a head chef, becoming a kitchen manager takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a kitchen manager has an average salary of $50,448, 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 kitchen manager are customer service, kitchen equipment, and cleanliness.
| Head Chef | Kitchen Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $45,470 | $50,448 |
| Hourly rate | $21.86 | $24.25 |
| Growth rate | 15% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 27,331 | 151,781 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 43% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
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.
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.
Head chefs and kitchen managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Head Chef | Kitchen Manager | |
| Average salary | $45,470 | $50,448 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $71,000 | Between $37,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | Wellesley, MA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics | Hillstone Restaurant Group |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a head chef and a kitchen manager in terms of educational background:
| Head Chef | Kitchen Manager | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 43% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Culinary Arts | Culinary Arts |
| Most common college | Drexel University | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between head chefs' and kitchen managers' demographics:
| Head Chef | Kitchen Manager | |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.8% Female, 20.2% | Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0% |
| 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, 10.8% 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% |