Personal Chef / Private Cook Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$60,000
national median salary
$42,000 to $85,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $47,940 for Cooks, Private Household (SOC 35-2013) across the United States, based on 1,100 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$36,090
25th percentile
$40,630
Median
$47,940
75th percentile
$55,450
90th percentile
$91,130
Workers surveyed
1,100
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$44,530
May 2025 release
$47,940
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
Why this differs from the estimate above. The Orbyt estimate of $60,000 is 25% higher than this published figure. That is usually not an error in either number: BLS reports by occupation code, and Cooks, Private Household covers a different population than the Personal Chef / Private Cook title as it is typically advertised. Both are shown, unreconciled, so you can judge which one describes the job you mean.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Cooks, Private Household (SOC 35-2013) rather than Personal Chef / Private Cookspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 35-2013Highest Paying
$82,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$63,000
Providence, RI
Lowest Paying
$45,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 35-2013. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Personal Chef / Private Cook salary in the United States at $60,000 in 2026, within a range of $42,000 to $85,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $82,000, while Providence offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Client wealth, geographic market, and dietary specialization are the main salary drivers.
Personal Chef / Private Cook salary by city.
Skills that increase Personal Chef / Private Cook pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Personal Chef / Private Cooks based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $8,400 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$8,400 per year
≈ +$7,800 per year
≈ +$7,200 per year
≈ +$6,600 per year
≈ +$6,600 per year
≈ +$6,000 per year
≈ +$6,000 per year
≈ +$5,400 per year
What you should know.
Client wealth, geographic market, and dietary specialization are the main salary drivers. Chefs working for high-net-worth families in cities like New York or Los Angeles earn two to three times what those in smaller markets make. Specialized skills in allergy management or global cuisines add premiums.
Line cooks transitioning to personal chef work start at $38,000 to $42,000. Established personal chefs with a client roster earn $55,000 to $70,000. Elite private chefs for ultra-high-net-worth families or celebrities command $85,000 to $150,000 with full benefits.
Private chefs for wealthy households often receive housing, vehicle access, health insurance, and annual bonuses of 5 to 15%. Some positions include paid travel with the family and a grocery budget that covers personal meals as well.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Personal Chef / Private Cooks typically earn $54,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Personal Chef / Private Cook pay.
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