Pay by Role
Skilled Trades · New Zealand

Chef Salary in New Zealand

Chefs plan menus, prepare food, and lead kitchen teams. The New Zealand median is $73,697 per year. Pick a city below for a local breakdown.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is NZD). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

National median
$73,697
per year
Monthly (national)
$6,161
per month, before tax
Highest-paying city
$73,697
Manukau, NZ
Hourly (national)
$35.43
varies by city

Chef salary by city in New Zealand

CityPer year
Manukau, NZ$73,697
Hamilton, NZ$73,697
Tauranga, NZ$73,697
Dunedin, NZ$73,697
Lower Hutt, NZ$73,697
Wellington, NZ$56,194
Auckland, NZ$51,531
Christchurch, NZ$48,479

Chef salary in other countries

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Related Skilled Trades salaries in New Zealand

ElectricianPlumberCarpenterWelderHVAC Technician

Frequently asked questions

How much does a chef make in New Zealand?
The national median chef salary in New Zealand is about $128,000 per year ($10,700 per month). Across 8 cities, pay ranges from about $84,200 to $128,000.
Which New Zealand city pays chefs the most?
Manukau, NZ pays the most at about $128,000 per year.
Which New Zealand city pays chefs the least?
Among cities we cover, Christchurch, NZ is on the lower end at about $84,200 per year for a chef.
What is the typical salary range for a chef in New Zealand?
Across New Zealand cities we cover, chef pay commonly spans from about $58,800 at the entry end in lower-paying markets up to about $184,300 for senior pay in higher-paying cities. Open a city page for the full local percentile band.
How many New Zealand cities have chef salary data?
Pay by Role publishes chef pay for 8 cities in New Zealand, all shown in NZD.
Is chef in demand in New Zealand?
Employment for this role is projected to change by about +5% over the next decade. Related skilled trades roles on Pay by Role include Electrician, Plumber, Carpenter.