Pay Scale of a Chef Working in Texas

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Working as a chef can be a challenging proposition for a number of reasons. This is especially true regarding the location where a chef chooses to live and work. For example, a chef living in New York or Los Angeles is going to make quite a bit more than a chef living in Austin or Dallas. Why is that? The truth is there are a lot of factors at work to determine a chef’s pay scale in the state of Texas.

Different Salaries for Varying Culinary Careers in Texas

The chef pay scale for various culinary careers in the state of Texas is as wide as the state itself. Take a look at the following list of average culinary salaries in Texas as provided by Indeed.com:

•Restaurant chef – $57,000
•Restaurant sous chef – $44,000
•Corporate chef – $80,000
•Sushi chef – $49,000
•Sous chef – $43,000
•Banquet cook – $23,000

Overall, the average salary for a chef in the state of Texas is $46,000, according to Indeed.

Location Matters

Of course, the average salaries listed above are generalizations. When trying to determine what the chef pay scale will be for a particular state, it is important to break down the choices by city since not all cities in a particular state will pay the same. For example, check out a few of the different salaries for Texas sous chefs based on city.

•Austin ($42,961)
•El Paso ($37,529)
•Fort Worth ($43,916)
•Lubbock ($35,036)
•Waco ($40,455)

Of course, the same can be said for any level of a culinary career, including that of an executive chef. The following executive chef salaries in the state of Texas are as varied as that of the sous chefs above.

•Amarillo ($58,174)
•Corpus Christi ($57,235)
•Dallas ($67,001)
•Galveston ($62,278)
•San Antonio ($62, 511)

Why Work as a Chef in Texas?

Working as a chef in a state like Texas offers a unique opportunity for a chef to grow in a situation where competition isn’t as fierce as a place like New York. This gives chefs a chance to learn without the added pressure of a thousand more chefs breathing down their neck. For chefs who want experience without the pressure, this can be a perfect situation.

Texas Chef Competition

Now, that isn’t to say that Texas doesn’t have culinary competition and great chefs. In fact, that is far from the truth. Texas has some of the United States’ best culinary cuisine and most reputable dining establishments. However, compared to the sheer number of restaurants and chefs in a place like New York or California, Texas chefs have more of a chance to shine without having to constantly look over their shoulders.

Same Skills Needed Regardless of Location

Regardless of where a chef chooses to work – be it Texas, New York, California, or small town America, the same skills are needed in order to succeed. Chefs are known for working long hours in sweltering kitchens for little pay and this is the same all over the country. However, once a chef has put in the time to earn the title of executive chef, the amount of salary involved rises along with responsibility and confidence. It’s all just a matter of dedication and timing. Those who commit to their culinary careers will succeed, those who don’t – should consider a different career.