Chef Salary in India 2026: Average Pay, Growth, and Top Hotel Packages
National Council of Hotel Management and Catering Technology Joint Entrance Examination 2027 ( NCHMCT JEE )
NCHMCT JEE 2027 admit card
17 Apr '27 - 22 Apr '27
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
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.
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Chef Salary Highlights
| Particular |
Salary |
|---|---|
| Average Chef Salary |
INR 16,000-INR 30,000/month |
| Executive Chef |
INR 2-INR 4 lakh/month |
| Head Chef |
INR 70,000-INR 1 lakh/month |
| Highest Salary |
INR 4 lakh+/month |
| Top Recruiters |
Taj, Marriott, Oberoi, ITC, Hyatt |
- 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
- What Is the Highest & Lowest Chef Salary in India?
- Chef Salary Trend & Growth
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.
NCHMCT JEE full form is National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology Joint Entrance Examination.
No, NCHMCT JEE is conducted only once a year. If you miss it, you must wait for the next year to apply again.
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
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
NCHMCT JEE exam 2027 date is not annonced yet. The exam is expecetd to be held in April 2027.
There is no fixed passing mark in NCHMCT JEE. Admission depends on your rank and college cutoff, not just minimum marks.
NCHMCT JEE seat allotment is based on rank, category, choices filled, and seat availability. Higher rank candidates get better college options.
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).
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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
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Commonly asked questions
Yes, students can get information on NCHMCT JEE exam on NTA website. NTA also releases NCHMCT JEE application, eligibility, registration process, fee, and other necessary details.
The NCHMCT JEE exam centre is allocated based on the preferences selected by the candidate while filling out the application form. The National Testing Agency (NTA) tries to assign a centre in the first preferred city, but allocation depends on availability of seats at that location.
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 chefs 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 |
In India, a chef’s salary 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 depend 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 over Rs. 7 lakh per annum, while senior professionals often receive even higher compensation.
Chef Salary Abroad: Average Salary by Country (2026)
Many Indian chefs choose to work abroad because of higher salaries, better work-life balance, international exposure, and faster career growth. Countries with strong tourism and hospitality industries regularly hire skilled chefs from India.
The table below provides an overview of average annual salaries for chefs in overseas countries. Actual earnings may vary depending on employer, job role, city, experience, and visa category.
| Country |
Average Annual Salary |
Approx. Monthly Salary (INR) |
Top Employers |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE |
AED 36,000-84,000 |
INR 80,000-INR 1.9 lakh |
Atlantis, Jumeirah, Emirates Palace, Hilton, Marriott |
| Canada |
CAD 40,000-65,000 |
INR 2 lakh-INR 4 lakh |
Fairmont, Marriott, Hyatt, Independent Restaurants |
| Australia |
AUD 65,000-90,000 |
INR 3 lakh-INR 5 lakh |
Crown Resorts, Hilton, Accor, Hyatt |
| Germany |
EUR 30,000-45,000 |
INR 2.5 lakh-INR 4 lakh |
Marriott, Hilton, Steigenberger, Local Restaurants |
| United Kingdom |
GBP 24,000-40,000 |
INR 2.3 lakh-INR 3.8 lakh |
Hilton, The Ritz, Marriott, Premier Inn |
| United States |
USD 40,000-70,000 |
INR 2.8 lakh-INR 5 lakh |
Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, Four Seasons |
Also Read:
Hotel Management Scope: Salary, Job Roles, Career after Hotel Management
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Chef Salary Trend & Growth
The growing demand for quality food and dining experiences has led to significant investment in the hospitality and food service industry, resulting in strong demand for skilled chefs across India. Major metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru generally offer higher salaries and better career opportunities for culinary professionals.
In smaller cities and local restaurants, however, chefs often face longer working hours, fewer breaks, and comparatively lower pay. As a result, many experienced chefs choose to work abroad, where they can benefit from better compensation, improved working conditions, and opportunities to open their own restaurants.
Popular tourist destinations and luxury resorts in India also offer attractive salary packages to talented chefs. In addition to their regular jobs, many chefs earn extra income through television appearances and cooking channels on platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Some also increase their earnings by publishing cookbooks and sharing their signature recipes with a wider audience.
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Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 weeks ago
According to NCHMCT JEE cutoff 2026 the minimum rank required to gain admission at Bangalore University for the general category was seen at 3476.
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Answered 2 months ago
While comparing national and state-level entrance examinations like NCHMCT JEE and MAH HM CET provides a helpful baseline for your academic planning, Lovely Professional University (LPU) serves as an excellent alternative to elevate your professional hospitality ambitions.
At LPU's School of Hotel Ma
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Answered 2 months ago
While exploring eligibility criteria and national-level admission pathways through NCHMCT JEE provides a helpful baseline for your academic planning, Lovely Professional University (LPU) serves as an excellent alternative to power your global hospitality ambitions.
At LPU's School of Hotel Management
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Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
While preparing for hospitality entrance examinations provides a solid baseline for your academic planning, Lovely Professional University (LPU) serves as an excellent alternative to elevate your professional ambitions.
At LPU's School of Hotel Management and Tourism, education blends fundamental hos
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Yes. Maharashtra CAP admissions for BHMCT accept valid NCHMCT JEE scores. According to state admission rules, preference is given to candidates with a valid NCHMCT JEE score.
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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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