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Kitchen steward salary
Average kitchen steward salary
$51,598
Understanding Kitchen Steward Salaries
The average salary for a Kitchen Steward in the United States is around $51,598 annually. This figure represents a critical starting point for those entering the culinary field. Salaries can vary significantly based on location, years of experience, and the establishment type.
For instance, California and New York often offer the highest salaries for kitchen stewards, reflecting the demand for skilled labor in metropolitan areas. In contrast, states with a lower cost of living may present lower average salaries.
Additionally, experience plays a crucial role in salary determination. Entry-level positions may start at lower rates, while seasoned professionals can command higher pay. To maximize earning potential, kitchen stewards can seek opportunities in upscale dining establishments, hotels, or catering companies.
For job seekers, understanding these salary dynamics can aid in negotiations and career planning. Use resources like Zippia to explore current job openings, average salaries by state, and factors affecting pay rates in the kitchen steward role.
Let Zippia find your next kitchen steward job
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Where can a Kitchen Steward earn more?
Kitchen steward salary estimates from across the web
Average kitchen steward salary by state
The average kitchen steward salary in Alaska, New Jersey, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average kitchen steward salary states are Alabama, Nebraska, and Georgia.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for kitchen stewards
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $70,155 | $33.73 |
| 2 | Alaska | $79,797 | $38.36 |
| 3 | Michigan | $66,446 | $31.95 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $62,611 | $30.10 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $58,412 | $28.08 |
| 6 | Texas | $58,340 | $28.05 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $75,755 | $36.42 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $60,409 | $29.04 |
| 9 | Ohio | $56,955 | $27.38 |
| 10 | New York | $75,730 | $36.41 |
| 11 | Wisconsin | $55,940 | $26.89 |
| 12 | Iowa | $52,645 | $25.31 |
| 13 | Illinois | $58,705 | $28.22 |
| 14 | Maryland | $64,384 | $30.95 |
| 15 | Tennessee | $51,746 | $24.88 |
| 16 | New Mexico | $58,558 | $28.15 |
| 17 | California | $59,542 | $28.63 |
| 18 | West Virginia | $56,777 | $27.30 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | $54,709 | $26.30 |
| 20 | Arizona | $49,992 | $24.03 |
| 21 | Washington | $52,068 | $25.03 |
| 22 | Indiana | $51,755 | $24.88 |
| 23 | Vermont | $55,026 | $26.45 |
| 24 | Arkansas | $50,305 | $24.19 |
| 25 | Virginia | $49,682 | $23.89 |
| 26 | South Carolina | $47,490 | $22.83 |
| 27 | Hawaii | $49,662 | $23.88 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $49,279 | $23.69 |
| 29 | North Dakota | $49,482 | $23.79 |
| 30 | Rhode Island | $48,546 | $23.34 |
| 31 | Kansas | $49,246 | $23.68 |
| 32 | Louisiana | $49,878 | $23.98 |
| 33 | Colorado | $42,166 | $20.27 |
| 34 | Montana | $41,479 | $19.94 |
| 35 | Delaware | $48,024 | $23.09 |
| 36 | Utah | $44,808 | $21.54 |
| 37 | Nevada | $40,869 | $19.65 |
| 38 | Florida | $37,843 | $18.19 |
| 39 | Idaho | $41,490 | $19.95 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $37,287 | $17.93 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $39,770 | $19.12 |
| 42 | South Dakota | $44,376 | $21.33 |
| 43 | Wyoming | $33,368 | $16.04 |
| 44 | North Carolina | $42,630 | $20.50 |
| 45 | Minnesota | $41,416 | $19.91 |
| 46 | Missouri | $38,605 | $18.56 |
| 47 | Georgia | $36,660 | $17.63 |
| 48 | District of Columbia | $45,958 | $22.10 |
| 49 | Alabama | $37,643 | $18.10 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| 51 | Oregon | $35,601 | $17.12 |
Highest paying cities for kitchen stewards
The highest-paying cities for kitchen stewards are Jamestown, NY, Detroit, MI, and Oakland, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamestown, NY | $72,887 | $35.04 |
| 2 | Detroit, MI | $66,893 | $32.16 |
| 3 | Oakland, CA | $60,826 | $29.24 |
| 4 | San Antonio, TX | $60,781 | $29.22 |
| 5 | Wheeling, IL | $59,392 | $28.55 |
| 6 | Toledo, OH | $57,828 | $27.80 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $55,122 | $26.50 |
| 8 | Knoxville, TN | $53,580 | $25.76 |
| 9 | Seattle, WA | $52,097 | $25.05 |
| 10 | Indianapolis, IN | $51,136 | $24.58 |
| 11 | Tucson, AZ | $49,765 | $23.93 |
| 12 | Bentonville, AR | $49,743 | $23.91 |
| 13 | Overland Park, KS | $49,475 | $23.79 |
| 14 | Denver, CO | $41,916 | $20.15 |
| 15 | Biloxi, MS | $41,618 | $20.01 |
| 16 | Henderson, NV | $41,431 | $19.92 |
| 17 | Tampa, FL | $38,240 | $18.38 |
| 18 | Kansas City, MO | $37,842 | $18.19 |
| 19 | Lincoln, NE | $37,307 | $17.94 |
| 20 | Alpharetta, GA | $36,623 | $17.61 |
Kitchen steward salary details
A kitchen steward's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $108,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a kitchen steward's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $108,000 | $9,000 | $52 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,000 | $6,333 | $37 |
| Average | $51,598 | $4,300 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
Highest paying kitchen steward jobs
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Bar Attendant | $51,598 | $4,300 | $24.81 | 47,297 |
Top companies hiring kitchen stewards now:
Which companies pay kitchen stewards the most?
Kitchen steward salaries at Saint Luke's Health System and HonorHealth are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average kitchen steward salary at companies like Aspen Snowmass and UPMC are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Luke's Health System | $150,470 | $72.34 |
| 2 | HonorHealth | $69,162 | $33.25 |
| 3 | Aspen Snowmass | $67,224 | $32.32 |
| 4 | UPMC | $62,710 | $30.15 |
| 5 | Remote | $52,777 | $25.37 |
| 6 | Affinity Gaming Finance Corp | $51,842 | $24.92 |
| 7 | Atrium Hospitality LP | $51,842 | $24.92 |
| 8 | CEDCO INC. | $51,842 | $24.92 |
| 9 | Mobilize.Net | $51,842 | $24.92 |
| 10 | Embassy C E S | $51,814 | $24.91 |
| 11 | C.J. Foods, Inc. | $51,194 | $24.61 |
| 12 | Guest Services | $51,045 | $24.54 |
| 13 | PCC Community Markets | $50,992 | $24.52 |
| 14 | Drayton Foods | $50,459 | $24.26 |
| 15 | Resorts World Catskills | $50,235 | $24.15 |
| 16 | AthleticClubColumbus | $49,283 | $23.69 |
| 17 | Aimbridge Hospitality | $49,118 | $23.61 |
| 18 | Spectrum | $48,505 | $23.32 |
| 19 | The Glen | $48,498 | $23.32 |
| 20 | Hakkasan Group | $48,362 | $23.25 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Kitchen steward salary trends
The average kitchen steward salary has risen by $13,966 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average kitchen steward earned $37,632 annually, but today, they earn $51,598 a year. That works out to a 28% change in pay for kitchen stewards over the last decade.
Compare kitchen steward salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average kitchen steward salary over time
Compare kitchen steward salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Kitchen steward salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $51,600 | $24.81 | +7.8% |
| 2024 | $47,600 | $22.87 | +4.5% |
| 2023 | $45,400 | $21.85 | +5.2% |
| 2022 | $43,100 | $20.72 | +6.8% |
| 2021 | $40,200 | $19.32 | +3.4% |
Recently added kitchen steward salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coraltreehospitality | Steward Kitchen | San Diego, CA | 06/29/2025 | $41,010 |
| Lodging Dynamics | Kitchen Steward | Seattle, WA | 06/28/2025 | $43,326 |
| Feather Falls Casino | Kitchen Steward/Night Cleaner (Brewery) Graveyard Shift | Oroville, CA | 06/28/2025 | $37,566 |
| Greensboro Embassy Suites | Kitchen Steward | Greensboro, NC | 06/28/2025 | $25,044 |
| Coraltree Hospitality | Steward Kitchen | San Diego, CA | 06/28/2025 | $41,010 |
| Coraltreehospitality | PM Dishwasher/Kitchen Steward | Cle Elum, WA | 06/26/2025 | $37,566 |
| Coraltree Hospitality | PM Dishwasher/Kitchen Steward | Cle Elum, WA | 06/25/2025 | $37,566 |
| San Marcos Embassy Suites | Kitchen Steward | San Marcos, TX | 06/25/2025 | $31,305 |
| Atrium Hospitality | Kitchen Steward | San Marcos, TX | 06/24/2025 | $31,305 |
| Contract Services Group | Kitchen Steward-Ayudante de Cocina (Food and Beverage) | Laguna, NM | 06/21/2025 | $39,653 |
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