HospitalityOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/10010+ years

Staff / Lead Executive Chef Salary in Austin

2026 · Staff, lead, and principal-level professionals in the top 10% of earners.

$100,996/yr

Typical range: $101,644 $120,508

P90 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Executive Chef Salary Progression in Austin

From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
Entry0 yrs0 yrs$60,597$5,050
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$72,380$6,032+19%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$80,235$6,686+32%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$87,530$7,294+44%
StaffThis page10 yrs10 yrs$100,996$8,416+67%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$111,095$9,258+83%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$113,620$9,468+88%
Current Salary
$100,996
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $49/hr
Next Level Target
$111,095
Principal · 14
+$10Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
42/100
Below Average
+5% demand · Low AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the staff / lead Executive Chef salary in Austin, TX?

Staff / Lead Executive Chefs in Austin, TX earn approximately $101K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P90 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a staff / lead Executive Chef make per hour in Austin, TX?

Based on $101K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $49/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from staff / lead to senior Executive Chef in Austin, TX?

The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Executive Chef in Austin, TX earns $102K–$121K/yr.