Master chef vs head chef

The differences between master chefs and head chefs can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a master chef and a head chef. Additionally, a head chef has an average salary of $45,470, which is higher than the $42,525 average annual salary of a master chef.

The top three skills for a master chef include dinner service, food products and cuisine. The most important skills for a head chef are kitchen operations, culinary, and dinner service.

Master chef vs head chef overview

	Master Chef	Head Chef
Yearly salary	$42,525	$45,470
Hourly rate	$20.44	$21.86
Growth rate	15%	15%
Number of jobs	26,517	27,331
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 36%	Associate Degree, 43%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	6	6

Master chef vs head chef salary

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

	Master Chef	Head Chef
Average salary	$42,525	$45,470
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $68,000	Between $28,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City	-	Wellesley, MA
Highest paying state	-	Hawaii
Best paying company	-	Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between master chef and head chef education

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

	Master Chef	Head Chef
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 36%	Associate Degree, 43%
Most common major	Culinary Arts	Culinary Arts
Most common college	Drexel University	Drexel University

Master chef vs head chef demographics

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

	Master Chef	Head Chef
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 66.8% Female, 33.2%	Male, 79.8% Female, 20.2%
Race ratio	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%	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 Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between master chef and head chef duties and responsibilities

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.

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.

Master chef vs head chef skills

Common master chef skills

Dinner Service, 32%
Food Products, 24%
Cuisine, 24%
Food Service, 12%
BBQ, 9%

Common head chef skills

Kitchen Operations, 27%
Culinary, 9%
Dinner Service, 6%
Food Service, 5%
Cuisine, 3%
Safety Standards, 3%

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Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Master Chef
Master Chef vs Head Chef

Updated January 8, 2025

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