Home > Salary > South Africa > Senior Chef
A senior chef is a highly experienced professional in the culinary arts who oversees the operations of a kitchen. They are responsible for creating and executing menus, managing staff, ensuring food safety and quality, and maintaining high standards of service. Senior chefs are skilled in various cooking techniques and have extensive knowledge of ingredients, flavors, and presentation. They are also responsible for ordering supplies, monitoring inventory, and controlling costs. Additionally, they may collaborate with other departments to plan and execute special events or catering services. Overall, a senior chef plays a crucial role in maintaining the reputation and success of a restaurant or food service establishment.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 88,437 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 7,370 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,701 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 43 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 7,143 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,648 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 41 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-03
Estimated Yearly Salary: 4,431 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 369 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 85 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 2 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
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Estimated Yearly Salary: 88,437 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 7,370 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,701 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 43 ZAR per hour
By working as Senior Chef a person can save up to 98 USD per month or 1,177 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Senior Chef
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Senior Chef salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Senior Chef in South Africa is approximately 88,437 ZAR (4,431 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Senior Chef do?

Skills: Senior Chef, Culinary Arts, Menu Creation, Staff Management, Food Safety, Quality Control
Job industry: Hospitality
Job industry: Hospitality
How much does Senior Chef make?
Salary details
How much does Senior Chef make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 88,437 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 7,370 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,701 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 43 ZAR per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 85,720 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 7,143 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,648 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 41 ZAR per hour
Senior Chef estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 4,431 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 369 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 85 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 2 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
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Country:
Salary comparison to National average
South Africa is a diverse and vibrant country located at the southernmost tip of the African continent. It has a population of approximately 59 million people and covers an area of around 1.2 million square kilometers. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Senior Chef job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Senior Chef in South Africa earns on average:
0.7 times the average salary (or 70% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Senior Chef job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Senior Chef in South Africa earns on average:
0.7 times the average salary (or 70% of average salary).
Is Senior Chef a well paid job?
No, our data shows that Senior Chef is typically not a well-paid job. The salary varies based on experience. Meaning that even though Senior Chef might be a low paying job, with experience the salary might increase to satisfactory levels.What is considered a high salary for Senior Chef?
High salary for Senior Chef would be somewhere between 97,281 ZAR and 128,234 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Senior Chef in South Africa?
Living in South Africa the approximate monthly expenses are: 271 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 88,437 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 7,370 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,701 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 43 ZAR per hour
By working as Senior Chef a person can save up to 98 USD per month or 1,177 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Senior Chef
Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
- more than 25 years of experience yields
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Random salary:
Tax coordinator (71,728 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Ballet teacher (183,280 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Correctional officer jailer (89,038 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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Soc manager (245,360 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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