Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Sushi chef salary
Average sushi chef salary
$42,969
Understanding Sushi Chef Salaries
The average salary for a sushi chef in the United States is $42,969 per year or about $21 per hour. This figure can vary significantly based on experience, location, and the establishment's prestige. Entry-level sushi chefs may start around $30,000 annually, while those with several years of experience can earn upwards of $60,000 in high-end venues.
Salary Variations by State
Geographic location plays a crucial role in salary differences. For instance, states like California and New York typically offer higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for skilled sushi chefs. In contrast, regions with lower living costs may present more modest compensation.
Experience Matters
Your experience level also influences your earning potential. Sushi chefs with advanced skills, such as sushi rolling and knife techniques, can command higher wages. Additionally, positions that require management or lead roles in kitchens often provide enhanced compensation packages.
Job Opportunities
From fine dining restaurants to sushi chains, opportunities abound for sushi chefs. As the culinary scene continues to evolve, those with a passion for sushi can find fulfilling careers that not only offer competitive salaries but also the chance to express their creativity.
Let Zippi find your next sushi chef job
Let Zippi find your next sushi chef job
Where can a Sushi Chef earn more?
Sushi chef salaries by experience level
Sushi chef salary estimates from across the web
Average sushi chef salary by state
The average sushi chef salary in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average sushi chef salary states are Arkansas, Tennessee, and Louisiana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for sushi chefs
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $64,497 | $31.01 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $62,013 | $29.81 |
| 3 | Nevada | $51,560 | $24.79 |
| 4 | New York | $61,012 | $29.33 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $60,646 | $29.16 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $56,073 | $26.96 |
| 7 | Alaska | $51,594 | $24.80 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $83,574 | $40.18 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | $67,171 | $32.29 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $51,822 | $24.91 |
| 11 | Texas | $48,913 | $23.52 |
| 12 | Michigan | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| 13 | Illinois | $52,760 | $25.37 |
| 14 | Ohio | $48,722 | $23.42 |
| 15 | Mississippi | $45,673 | $21.96 |
| 16 | Indiana | $45,452 | $21.85 |
| 17 | Arizona | $45,559 | $21.90 |
| 18 | Wyoming | $43,336 | $20.83 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $44,567 | $21.43 |
| 20 | Georgia | $44,683 | $21.48 |
| 21 | California | $52,710 | $25.34 |
| 22 | Florida | $44,279 | $21.29 |
| 23 | Maine | $48,865 | $23.49 |
| 24 | Delaware | $50,046 | $24.06 |
| 25 | Virginia | $44,793 | $21.54 |
| 26 | Alabama | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| 27 | Hawaii | $51,425 | $24.72 |
| 28 | Maryland | $48,776 | $23.45 |
| 29 | Washington | $47,002 | $22.60 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $41,485 | $19.94 |
| 31 | North Carolina | $41,710 | $20.05 |
| 32 | Wisconsin | $40,843 | $19.64 |
| 33 | South Carolina | $39,184 | $18.84 |
| 34 | Colorado | $39,028 | $18.76 |
| 35 | Oklahoma | $38,810 | $18.66 |
| 36 | West Virginia | $40,367 | $19.41 |
| 37 | Missouri | $39,277 | $18.88 |
| 38 | Montana | $35,891 | $17.26 |
| 39 | Oregon | $39,835 | $19.15 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $39,256 | $18.87 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $37,418 | $17.99 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $39,531 | $19.01 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $39,403 | $18.94 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $34,174 | $16.43 |
| 45 | Utah | $29,343 | $14.11 |
| 46 | Vermont | $39,519 | $19.00 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $35,215 | $16.93 |
| 48 | Iowa | $37,018 | $17.80 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $34,123 | $16.41 |
| 50 | Idaho | $26,777 | $12.87 |
| 51 | Kansas | $32,242 | $15.50 |
Highest paying cities for sushi chefs
The highest-paying cities for sushi chefs are Bridgewater, NJ, Washington, DC, and Southampton, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridgewater, NJ | $83,326 | $40.06 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $64,605 | $31.06 |
| 3 | Southampton, NY | $61,815 | $29.72 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh, PA | $61,424 | $29.53 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $54,786 | $26.34 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $53,105 | $25.53 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $51,727 | $24.87 |
| 8 | Las Vegas, NV | $51,508 | $24.76 |
| 9 | Houston, TX | $49,649 | $23.87 |
| 10 | Baltimore, MD | $49,154 | $23.63 |
| 11 | Lynnwood, WA | $47,413 | $22.79 |
| 12 | Glendale, AZ | $45,689 | $21.97 |
| 13 | Cincinnati, OH | $45,610 | $21.93 |
| 14 | Miami, FL | $45,208 | $21.73 |
| 15 | Indianapolis, IN | $45,055 | $21.66 |
| 16 | Atlanta, GA | $44,581 | $21.43 |
| 17 | Eden Prairie, MN | $44,452 | $21.37 |
| 18 | Huntsville, AL | $41,986 | $20.19 |
| 19 | Charlotte, NC | $40,625 | $19.53 |
| 20 | Portland, OR | $39,950 | $19.21 |
Sushi chef salary details
A sushi chef's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $68,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a sushi chef's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $68,000 | $5,667 | $33 |
| 75th Percentile | $54,000 | $4,500 | $26 |
| Average | $42,969 | $3,581 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
Highest paying sushi chef jobs
The highest paying types of sushi chefs are executive chef, chef manager, and chef de cuisine.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head Cook | $44,412 | $3,701 | $21.35 | 156,227 |
| Pastry Cook | $34,858 | $2,905 | $16.76 | 136,754 |
| Chef De Cuisine | $51,926 | $4,327 | $24.96 | 18,300 |
| Chef De Partie | $39,938 | $3,328 | $19.20 | 18,913 |
| Chef/Catering | $47,693 | $3,974 | $22.93 | 20,512 |
| Chef Manager | $53,470 | $4,456 | $25.71 | 22,346 |
Top companies hiring sushi chefs now:
Which companies pay sushi chefs the most?
Sushi chef salaries at Sailfish Club of Florida and Jeff Ruby are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average sushi chef salary at companies like Kona Grill and Lettuce Entertain You are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sailfish Club of Florida | $58,350 | $28.05 |
| 2 | Jeff Ruby | $58,042 | $27.90 |
| 3 | Kona Grill | $57,209 | $27.50 |
| 4 | Lettuce Entertain You | $55,450 | $26.66 |
| 5 | The Club at Admirals Cove | $53,082 | $25.52 |
| 6 | Goodwin Recruiting | $51,108 | $24.57 |
| 7 | MSG Entertainment | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| 8 | Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts | $48,941 | $23.53 |
| 9 | NAC Architecture | $48,699 | $23.41 |
| 10 | Hyatt Hotels | $48,503 | $23.32 |
| 11 | Anthony | $47,865 | $23.01 |
| 12 | Shogun | $47,416 | $22.80 |
| 13 | The Atlantic Club | $47,329 | $22.75 |
| 14 | Remote | $47,255 | $22.72 |
| 15 | Sushi Ran | $46,627 | $22.42 |
| 16 | Uni Distribution Corp | $46,225 | $22.22 |
| 17 | Kura Sushi USA | $46,191 | $22.21 |
| 18 | SoNo Ice House | $46,191 | $22.21 |
| 19 | Yama Industrials | $46,191 | $22.21 |
| 20 | Concept Restaurants, Inc | $46,191 | $22.21 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Sushi chef salary trends
The average sushi chef salary has risen by $8,879 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average sushi chef earned $34,090 annually, but today, they earn $42,969 a year. That works out to a 24% change in pay for sushi chefs over the last decade.
Compare sushi chef salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average sushi chef salary over time
Compare sushi chef salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Sushi chef salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $43,000 | $20.66 | +3.5% |
| 2024 | $41,500 | $19.94 | +6.0% |
| 2023 | $39,000 | $18.75 | +5.2% |
| 2022 | $37,000 | $17.78 | +6.0% |
| 2021 | $34,800 | $16.71 | +3.9% |
Recently added sushi chef salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nama | Sushi Chef | New York, NY | 06/30/2025 | $70,415 |
| Hillstone Restaurant Group | Sushi Chef | Fine, NY | 06/29/2025 | $52,175 |
| Sanctuary Camelback Mountain | Sushi Chef | Montauk, NY | 06/28/2025 | $54,262 |
| Kura Sushi USA, Inc. | Sushi Prep | Boulder, CO | 06/28/2025 | $32,495 |
| Gurneys Inn Resort & Spa LLC | Sushi Chef | Montauk, NY | 06/28/2025 | $54,262 |
| Sustainable Restaurant Group | Sushi Chef | Denver, CO | 06/28/2025 | $41,844 |
| Hana Financial | Sushi Chef II | Reno, NV | 06/26/2025 | $33,392 |
| Lucky Fins | Experienced Sushi Chef | Meridian, ID | 06/26/2025 | $29,218 |
| Landry's | Sushi Chef (Hourly) | Coronado, CA | 06/26/2025 | $39,653 |
| Compass Group USA Inc. | Sushi Chef | San Jose, CA | 06/25/2025 | $52,175 |
Sushi chef salary FAQs
Search for sushi chef jobs