Pay by Role
Skilled Trades · South Africa

Chef Salary in South Africa

Chefs plan menus, prepare food, and lead kitchen teams. The South Africa median is $24,583 per year. Pick a city below for a local breakdown.

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

National median
$24,583
per year
Monthly (national)
$2,049
per month, before tax
Highest-paying city
$24,583
Cape Town, ZA
Hourly (national)
$11.82
varies by city

Chef salary by city in South Africa

CityPer year
Cape Town, ZA$24,583
Durban, ZA$24,583
Pretoria, ZA$24,583
Gqeberha, ZA$24,583
Pietermaritzburg, ZA$24,583
Bloemfontein, ZA$24,583
East London, ZA$24,583
Vereeniging, ZA$24,583
Welkom, ZA$24,583
Newcastle, ZA$24,583
Krugersdorp, ZA$24,583
Johannesburg, ZA$17,245

Chef salary in other countries

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Related Skilled Trades salaries in South Africa

ElectricianPlumberCarpenterWelderHVAC Technician

Frequently asked questions

How much does a chef make in South Africa?
The national median chef salary in South Africa is about R 402 000 per year (R 33 500 per month). Across 12 cities, pay ranges from about R 282 000 to R 402 000.
Which South Africa city pays chefs the most?
Cape Town, ZA pays the most at about R 402 000 per year.
Which South Africa city pays chefs the least?
Among cities we cover, Johannesburg, ZA is on the lower end at about R 282 000 per year for a chef.
What is the typical salary range for a chef in South Africa?
Across South Africa cities we cover, chef pay commonly spans from about R 197 000 at the entry end in lower-paying markets up to about R 578 900 for senior pay in higher-paying cities. Open a city page for the full local percentile band.
How many South Africa cities have chef salary data?
Pay by Role publishes chef pay for 12 cities in South Africa, all shown in ZAR.
Is chef in demand in South Africa?
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.