eGigCook / Chef salary (2026)
A cook / chef usually earns ₹12,000–₹18,000 a month as a fresher, rising to ₹18,000–₹30,000 with 2–5 years’ experience and up to ₹55,000 for senior roles.
Monthly salary by experience
Typical gross monthly pay in rupees (₹) seen in job postings in 2026. In-hand is an estimate after employee PF and professional tax; your offer may differ.
Cook / Chef pay at companies
No company figures yet. Work as a cook / chef? Share your pay without your name and help others negotiate.
Cook / Chef salary by city
| City | Fresher | 2–5 years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | ₹14,000–₹20,500 | ₹20,500–₹34,500 | Jobs |
| Bengaluru | ₹14,000–₹20,500 | ₹20,500–₹34,500 | Jobs |
| Delhi NCR | ₹13,500–₹20,000 | ₹20,000–₹33,500 | Jobs |
| Hyderabad | ₹13,000–₹19,500 | ₹19,500–₹32,500 | Jobs |
| Pune | ₹13,000–₹19,500 | ₹19,500–₹32,500 | Jobs |
| Chennai | ₹12,500–₹19,000 | ₹19,000–₹31,500 | Jobs |
| Ahmedabad | ₹11,500–₹17,500 | ₹17,500–₹29,000 | Jobs |
| Kolkata | ₹11,500–₹17,000 | ₹17,000–₹28,500 | Jobs |
| Jaipur | ₹11,000–₹16,500 | ₹16,500–₹27,500 | Jobs |
| Lucknow | ₹11,000–₹16,000 | ₹16,000–₹27,000 | Jobs |
| Indore | ₹11,000–₹16,000 | ₹16,000–₹27,000 | Jobs |
| Nagpur | ₹11,000–₹16,000 | ₹16,000–₹27,000 | Jobs |
Big metros pay more but rent costs more too. Smaller cities not listed usually pay 5–15% below the national range.
How to earn more as a cook / chef
- Hotel management or a culinary course
- Tandoor, Chinese or continental specialities
- Hotels, cloud kitchens and cruise jobs
- Ask for the full CTC break-up before accepting. Compare offers on in-hand pay, not CTC alone.
Questions people ask
What is the salary of a cook / chef?
Most earn ₹12,000 to ₹55,000 a month. Freshers usually start at ₹12,000–₹18,000, and with 2–5 years’ experience pay rises to ₹18,000–₹30,000.
What is the fresher salary of a cook / chef?
Around ₹12,000–₹18,000 a month, or ₹1.4 lakh–₹2.2 lakh a year, depending on the city and employer.
Which city pays a cook / chef the most?
Mumbai and Bengaluru usually pay the most, around 15% above the national typical range, followed by Delhi NCR, Hyderabad and Pune.
How can a cook / chef earn more?
Hotel management or a culinary course. Tandoor, Chinese or continental specialities. Hotels, cloud kitchens and cruise jobs.