How Much Does a Private Chef Make in the United States?
Take a Chef Team
October 21, 2025
If you’re tired of the restaurant treadmill or fresh from culinary school, private cheffing can be a rewarding alternative, offering competitive pay, creative control, and direct client relationships. Below you’ll find information about income ranges, influencing factors, and per-person pricing by city.
Table of Contents
Earnings Snapshot
Private chef compensation depends on experience, employment structure, and location:
Entry-Level (0–2 years):
Annual Salary: $40,000–$60,000
Hourly Rate: $30–$50
Mid-Career (3–7 years):
Annual Salary: $60,000–$100,000
Hourly Rate: $50–$75
Senior & Specialized (8+ years or high-profile clients):
Annual Salary: $100,000–$150,000+
Event Rates: $100–$150/hr
Full-time household chefs often receive stable salaries ($70,000–$120,000) plus benefits. Freelance personal chefs charge per service, typically $500–$1,500 per day, granting flexibility and higher upside for a packed schedule.
What Drives Your Paycheck?
Three core factors shape private chef earnings:
Location Premium: Major metros (e.g., New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco) pay 20–40% above national averages due to higher living costs and demand.
Client Profile: High-net-worth families, executives, and celebrities value discretion and customized menus, commanding premium rates.
Expertise & Reputation: Specialized skills, plant-based, keto, allergen-free cooking, or Michelin credentials justify higher fees and foster referrals.
Cultivating a niche and showcasing credentials in marketing materials accelerates rate growth over time.
For Chefs
Maximize your earning potential as a private chef
Join Take a Chef and connect with clients seeking exceptional culinary experiences. Set your own rates, choose your bookings, and build a thriving private chef career on your terms.
Freelancers skip traditional benefits but gain autonomy over rates, scheduling, and client selection.
Scaling Your Career as a Full Time Private Chef
Private cheffing offers clear pathways for growth:
Network Expansion: Building word-of-mouth leads to higher-paying clients.
Business Diversification: Catering, cooking classes, private events, and brand partnerships create new income streams.
Thought Leadership: Publishing cookbooks, leading workshops, and content creation bolster reputation, and revenue.
Rising demand for personalized nutrition and at-home dining ensures a robust market through 2030 and beyond.
Private Chefs Earnings in top U.S. Cities
Below is a data-driven overview of per-person rates drawn from actual private chef bookings on Take a Chef. This information reflects the real-world prices that clients have paid, ensuring accuracy and relevance for each market. The data is broken down by state and select cities to illustrate pricing variations.
Average Prices in Alabama
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$162
3-6 guests
$159
7-12 guests
$147
13+ guests
$150
Average Prices in Arizona
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$157
3-6 guests
$150
7-12 guests
$135
13+ guests
$140
Prices in Phoenix
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$145
3-6 guests
$116
7-12 guests
$107
13+ guests
$99
Average Prices in Arkansas
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$192
3-6 guests
$207
Average Prices in California
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$237
3-6 guests
$155
7-12 guests
$119
13+ guests
$114
Prices in Beverly Hills
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$139
3-6 guests
$113
7-12 guests
$111
13+ guests
$107
Prices in Lake tahoe
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$148
3-6 guests
$127
7-12 guests
$118
13+ guests
$116
Prices in Los angeles
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$139
3-6 guests
$113
7-12 guests
$111
13+ guests
$107
Prices in Napa and sonoma
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$172
3-6 guests
$132
7-12 guests
$101
13+ guests
$102
Prices in Orange county
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$156
3-6 guests
$122
7-12 guests
$108
13+ guests
$143
Prices in San diego
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$163
3-6 guests
$122
7-12 guests
$98
13+ guests
$99
Prices in San francisco
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$137
3-6 guests
$129
7-12 guests
$114
13+ guests
$113
Prices in Santa barbara
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$178
3-6 guests
$144
7-12 guests
$123
13+ guests
$128
Average Prices in Colorado
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$152
3-6 guests
$128
7-12 guests
$102
13+ guests
$107
Prices in Aspen
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$218
3-6 guests
$169
7-12 guests
$122
13+ guests
$157
Prices in Breckenridge
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$186
3-6 guests
$124
7-12 guests
$112
13+ guests
$111
Prices in Steamboat
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$215
3-6 guests
$186
7-12 guests
$120
13+ guests
$148
Prices in Telluride
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$201
3-6 guests
$143
7-12 guests
$117
13+ guests
$129
Prices in Vail
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$177
3-6 guests
$140
7-12 guests
$101
13+ guests
$138
Average Prices in Connecticut
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$242
3-6 guests
$145
7-12 guests
$130
13+ guests
$135
Average Prices in Delaware
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$233
3-6 guests
$114
7-12 guests
$113
13+ guests
$124
Average Prices in Florida
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$141
3-6 guests
$104
7-12 guests
$99
13+ guests
$98
Prices in Fort Lauderdale
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$130
3-6 guests
$135
7-12 guests
$117
13+ guests
$115
Prices in Miami
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$130
3-6 guests
$135
7-12 guests
$117
13+ guests
$115
Prices in Naples
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$199
3-6 guests
$159
7-12 guests
$131
13+ guests
$152
Prices in Orlando
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$159
3-6 guests
$131
7-12 guests
$113
13+ guests
$110
Average Prices in Georgia
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$208
7-12 guests
$108
13+ guests
$97
Prices in Atlanta
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$149
3-6 guests
$127
7-12 guests
$114
13+ guests
$109
Average Prices in Hawaii
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$351
3-6 guests
$160
7-12 guests
$126
13+ guests
$121
Prices in Big island
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$169
3-6 guests
$126
7-12 guests
$106
13+ guests
$132
Prices in Kauai
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$210
3-6 guests
$142
7-12 guests
$118
13+ guests
$140
Prices in Maui
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$171
3-6 guests
$151
7-12 guests
$119
13+ guests
$123
Prices in Oahu
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$149
3-6 guests
$120
7-12 guests
$110
13+ guests
$140
Average Prices in Idaho
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$238
3-6 guests
$182
7-12 guests
$115
13+ guests
$112
Average Prices in Illinois
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$213
3-6 guests
$162
7-12 guests
$121
13+ guests
$113
Prices in Chicago
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$134
3-6 guests
$113
7-12 guests
$111
13+ guests
$100
Average Prices in Indiana
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$218
3-6 guests
$149
7-12 guests
$119
13+ guests
$95
Average Prices in Iowa
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$222
13+ guests
$97
Average Prices in Kansas
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$437
3-6 guests
$188
7-12 guests
$104
13+ guests
$90
Average Prices in Kentucky
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$252
3-6 guests
$176
7-12 guests
$120
13+ guests
$92
Average Prices in Louisiana
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$152
3-6 guests
$138
7-12 guests
$114
13+ guests
$114
Average Prices in Maine
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$236
3-6 guests
$145
7-12 guests
$105
13+ guests
$107
Average Prices in Maryland
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$206
3-6 guests
$147
7-12 guests
$112
13+ guests
$115
Average Prices in Massachusetts
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$151
3-6 guests
$118
7-12 guests
$101
13+ guests
$106
Average Prices in Michigan
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$225
3-6 guests
$142
7-12 guests
$112
13+ guests
$102
Average Prices in Minnesota
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$225
3-6 guests
$154
7-12 guests
$128
13+ guests
$201
Average Prices in Mississippi
Group Size
Price per Person
3-6 guests
$42
13+ guests
$149
Average Prices in Missouri
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$224
3-6 guests
$165
7-12 guests
$112
13+ guests
$137
Average Prices in Montana
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$205
3-6 guests
$154
7-12 guests
$114
13+ guests
$92
Prices in Big sky
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$188
3-6 guests
$167
7-12 guests
$145
13+ guests
$151
Average Prices in Nebraska
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$187
Average Prices in Nevada
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$236
3-6 guests
$160
7-12 guests
$127
13+ guests
$119
Prices in Las vegas
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$130
3-6 guests
$117
7-12 guests
$100
13+ guests
$97
Average Prices in New Hampshire
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$202
3-6 guests
$135
7-12 guests
$115
13+ guests
$108
Average Prices in New Jersey
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$171
3-6 guests
$156
7-12 guests
$139
13+ guests
$135
Average Prices in New Mexico
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$219
7-12 guests
$106
13+ guests
$109
Average Prices in New York
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$298
3-6 guests
$157
7-12 guests
$121
13+ guests
$113
Prices in Hamptons
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$175
3-6 guests
$128
7-12 guests
$90
13+ guests
$110
Prices in New york city
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$140
3-6 guests
$110
7-12 guests
$90
13+ guests
$97
Average Prices in North Carolina
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$213
3-6 guests
$146
7-12 guests
$120
13+ guests
$106
Average Prices in North Dakota
Average Prices in Ohio
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$209
3-6 guests
$140
7-12 guests
$122
13+ guests
$112
Average Prices in Oklahoma
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$156
3-6 guests
$154
7-12 guests
$123
13+ guests
$145
Average Prices in Oregon
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$135
3-6 guests
$123
7-12 guests
$108
13+ guests
$110
Average Prices in Pennsylvania
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$225
3-6 guests
$146
7-12 guests
$117
13+ guests
$115
Average Prices in Rhode Island
Group Size
Price per Person
3-6 guests
$163
7-12 guests
$118
13+ guests
$113
Average Prices in South Carolina
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$165
3-6 guests
$147
7-12 guests
$135
13+ guests
$141
Prices in Charleston
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$190
3-6 guests
$164
7-12 guests
$123
13+ guests
$134
Prices in Hilton head
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$182
3-6 guests
$161
7-12 guests
$135
13+ guests
$135
Average Prices in South Dakota
Group Size
Price per Person
13+ guests
$85
Average Prices in Tennessee
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$223
3-6 guests
$137
7-12 guests
$113
13+ guests
$104
Prices in Nashville
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$135
3-6 guests
$120
7-12 guests
$93
13+ guests
$103
Average Prices in Texas
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$143
3-6 guests
$127
7-12 guests
$121
13+ guests
$116
Prices in Austin
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$127
3-6 guests
$118
7-12 guests
$94
13+ guests
$93
Prices in Dallas
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$143
3-6 guests
$127
7-12 guests
$121
13+ guests
$116
Prices in Houston
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$190
3-6 guests
$148
7-12 guests
$113
13+ guests
$121
Average Prices in Utah
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$261
3-6 guests
$115
7-12 guests
$109
13+ guests
$109
Prices in Park City
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$155
3-6 guests
$125
7-12 guests
$107
13+ guests
$119
Average Prices in Vermont
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$223
3-6 guests
$149
7-12 guests
$104
13+ guests
$121
Average Prices in Virginia
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$138
3-6 guests
$125
7-12 guests
$113
13+ guests
$115
Average Prices in Washington
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$162
3-6 guests
$159
7-12 guests
$147
13+ guests
$150
Average Prices in Washington D.C.
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$156
3-6 guests
$147
7-12 guests
$147
13+ guests
$143
Average Prices in West Virginia
Average Prices in Wisconsin
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$221
3-6 guests
$155
7-12 guests
$128
13+ guests
$95
Average Prices in Wyoming
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$244
3-6 guests
$151
7-12 guests
$123
13+ guests
$108
Prices in Jackson hole
Group Size
Price per Person
2 guests
$185
3-6 guests
$138
7-12 guests
$115
13+ guests
$115
Join Our Network
Turn your culinary passion into a flexible career
Take a Chef connects talented culinary professionals with clients nationwide. Enjoy the freedom of being your own boss while doing what you love - creating unforgettable dining experiences.
