How much do chefs typically make?

Chefs make a median wage of $42,480 per year, notes the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This averages out to a median hourly wage of around $20.42 per hour. The top-paid chefs make more than $74,120, while the lowest-paid chefs ear less than $24,530 annually.

The top industries for chefs include travelers accommodations, where chefs make around $48,210 per year, and amusement and recreation industries, where chefs make around $47,490 per year, notes the BLS. Chefs working in special food services make around $42,960 per year while those working in restaurants and other eating places make $39,790 per year on average.