Chef Salary in India 2026: Average Pay, Growth, and Top Hotel Packages
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The food and hospitality industry in India has seen big growth in recent years. Starting from luxury bars, family restaurants, to small cafes, the demand for skilled chefs is increasing. But one big question that comes to every aspiring cook’s mind is “How much do chefs really earn in India?” Whether you are just starting out or already working in the kitchen, understanding the chef salary in India is super important!
Chef Salary in India 2026
Chefs not only cook food, but they also lead kitchen teams, manage costs, create menus, and ensure hygiene of the food. Therefore, the average monthly salary of chefs in India depends on multiple factors, such as years of experience, location, hotel brand, and position. In India, chefs generally earn more in big cities or 5-star hotels compared to smaller towns and small cafes and hotels. In this article, we will cover the full details of the average salary of chefs in India changes in pay scale with experience, and hotels offering top salaries for chefs. Read the complete article to know about chef executive salary, 5 star hotel chef salary in India, or private chef salary. Check the best chef courses in India.
Also Read:
- What Is the Average Chef Salary in India?
- India Chef Salary in Top Hotels
- Chef Salary by Experience in India
- Executive Chef Salary in India
- 5 Star Hotel Chef Salary in India
- Chef Salary Trend & Growth
- What Is the Highest & Lowest Chef Salary in India?
What Is the Average Chef Salary in India?
The average chef salary in India ranges between INR 16,000 to INR 30,000 per month depending on the hotel, city, and experience.
| Position |
Monthly Pay Range |
Median Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Chef (Base Level) |
INR 16K – INR 30K |
INR 24K |
| Head Chef |
INR 38K – INR 2L |
INR 70K – INR 1L |
| Executive Chef |
INR 2L – INR 4L (top level) |
Depends on hotel |
Commonly asked questions
The table below shows the best Chef istitutes or Culinary Arts colleges in India for cooking classes in India are mentioned below along with their total tuition fee:
College Name | Total Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
Welcomegroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Manipal Academy of Higher Education | INR 4 lakh – INR 7 lakh |
| SSCA Pune | INR 1 lakh - INR 12 lakh |
| SRM Institute of Hotel Management | INR 60,000 - INR 1 lakh |
| Chitkara College of Hospitality Management | INR 6 lakh - INR 19 lakh |
The top specialisations offered by the best Hotel Management colleges in India accepting IIHM eCHAT scores are Food & Beverage Services, Front Office Management, Tourism Studies, etc.
Yes. IIHM conducts eCHAT multiple times a year. Once one exam is over, the next date is announced. This helps students apply at their convenience.
NCHMCT JEE is conducted once a year. The National Testing Agency (NTA) annually conducts NCHMCT JEE on behalf of the National Council for Hotel Management & Catering Technology (NCHMCT).
India Chef Salary in Top Hotels
The salary of chefs are generally very high in top restaurants and hotels. Here’s a list of hotel chef salary data from top brands:
| Hotel Name |
Salary Range (Monthly) |
Median Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Taj Group of Hotels |
INR 16K – INR 55K |
INR 25K |
| Oberoi Hotels & Resorts |
INR 16K – INR 25K |
INR 21K |
| Marriott International |
INR 16K – INR 25K |
INR 20K |
| JW Marriott |
INR 13K – INR 20K |
INR 18K |
| Hilton |
INR 15K – INR 30K |
INR 18K |
| Home Chef |
INR 19K – INR 45K |
INR 22K |
| Radisson Hotel Group |
INR 11K – INR 23K |
INR 17K |
| PVR Limited |
INR 8K – INR 22K |
INR 18K |
| The Leela Palaces |
INR 2L – INR 2.4L/yr |
INR 24K (avg) |
| Hyatt |
INR 15K – INR 24K |
INR 24K |
Related Entrance Exams for Chefs:
NCHMCT JEE Exam 2026
Chef Salary by Experience in India
The chefs salary in India goes higher with the years of experience. Freshers earn less, but senior chefs get paid well, especially in 5 star hotel chef salary in India.
| Experience Level |
Location |
Annual Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 Years |
Pune |
INR 1L/yr |
| 4-6 Years |
Chennai |
INR 13L/yr |
| 1-3 Years |
Cochin |
INR 2L/yr |
| 4-6 Years |
Mumbai |
INR 4L – INR 5L/yr |
| 15+ Years |
Hyderabad |
INR 7L/yr |
| 7-9 Years |
Bangalore |
INR 2L/yr |
Commonly asked questions
The upcoming IIHM eCHAT exam is scheduled for May 16, 2026. Students should keep checking official updates as new dates are announced regularly throughout the year.
IIHM eCHAT exam pattern is such that aspirants need to attempt 50 questions in a duration of 60 minutes. In IIHM eCHAT exam candidates are evaluated on various parameters. The test paper for IIHM contains different types of questions in order to evaluate aspirants on the basis of their aptitude and skills.
Students can contact IIHM through phone numbers or email IDs given for each campus. They can also visit the campus office in their city. All contact details are officially shared by International Institute of Hotel Management.
Students get official exam updates on IIHM eCHAT on its official website. All official updates like exam date, admit card, and counselling details are shared only through registered email or official communication. Students should not trust unofficial sources or third-party messages.
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Executive Chef Salary in India
An executive chef salary in India depends on the location and hotel category. In luxury 5-star hotels, the executive chef pay can reach INR 2L - INR 4L/month.
Also Read: What is Hotel Management?: Course Fees 2026, Subjects, Top Colleges, Admissions
5 Star Hotel Chef Salary in India
Top hotels offer high 5 star hotel chef salary in India, especially to experienced and well-trained chefs. Some chefs also earn bonuses and perks.
Monthly Salary of 5 Star Hotel Chef:
- Entry-level chef: INR 20K/month
- Sous-chef: INR 35K–INR 70K/month
- Head chef: INR 70K–INR 1.5L/month
- Executive chef: INR 2L–INR 4L/month
Also Read: How to become a Chef? Eligibility, Courses, Career Path
Chef Salary Trend & Growth
The increasing demand for quality food and dining experiences has encouraged significant investment in the hospitality and food service industry, creating strong demand for skilled chefs across India. Major metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru generally offer higher salary packages and better career opportunities for culinary professionals.
In contrast, chefs working in smaller cities and local restaurants may face longer working hours, fewer breaks, and comparatively lower salaries. Due to these challenges, many experienced chefs choose to move abroad, where they can access better pay, improved working conditions, and opportunities to establish their own restaurants.
Popular tourist destinations and luxury resorts in India also offer attractive compensation packages to talented chefs. In addition to their regular jobs, many chefs generate extra income through television appearances, cooking channels on platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Some chefs further expand their earnings by publishing cookbooks and sharing their signature recipes with a wider audience
Also Read:
Hotel Management Scope: Salary, Job Roles, Career after Hotel Management
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What Is the Highest & Lowest Chef Salary in India?
In India, the salary gap is very vast between the highest and lowest chef salaries per month. While many expert chef earn in lakhs in top-tier restaurants, chefs working in small hotels and cafes earn very little to live a comfortable life.
| Type |
Average Amount |
|---|---|
| Highest Pay |
INR 2L – INR 4L/month |
| Lowest Pay |
INR 13,000/month |
| Per Hour Rate |
INR 8 – INR 26/hour |
The salary of a chef in India generally starts at around Rs. 16,000 per month for entry-level positions. In leading five-star hotels, experienced chefs can earn between Rs. 2 lakh and Rs. 4 lakh per month. Earnings vary depending on factors such as work experience, job location, and the reputation of the hotel brand. Chefs with more than 10 years of experience can earn upwards of Rs. 7 lakh per annum, with senior professionals often receiving significantly higher compensation.
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Porishmita Paul holds an MSc in Anthropology from Gauhati University and has over 2 years of experience in content writing. She has been handling content for Hospitality & Humanities at Shiksha for a long time. She
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