Sous Chef Salary UK 2026: Age Bands, Eligibility and What You Actually Take Home

Understanding the Sous Chef Salary in 2026

If you are looking at a sous chef salary in the UK for 2026, you need to look beyond the headline figure. Advertised salaries often hide the impact of age bands, minimum wage rates, and deductions. This guide breaks down what you can expect to earn, what you actually take home, and how the rules affect your pay.

Age Bands and the National Living Wage

From April 2026, the National Living Wage (NLW) for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour. The National Minimum Wage for 18–20 year olds is £10.85, and for under 18s and apprentices it is £8.00. As a sous chef, you are almost certainly aged 21 or over, so the NLW is your statutory floor. In practice, sous chef salaries are well above this: even at the lower end of the advertised range (£32,000), the hourly rate for a 40-hour week is about £15.38, comfortably above the NLW.

However, if you are a younger chef working towards a sous chef role, remember that until you turn 21 you are only entitled to the lower 18–20 rate. Once you reach 21, your employer must pay you at least the NLW. For more on how age affects your minimum entitlement, see our UK Minimum Wage page.

Advertised Sous Chef Salaries: What the Data Shows

Industry sources from 2026 give a consistent picture. The Chef Network reports advertised sous chef salaries between £32,000 and £44,000 outside London, with hourly rates of £13.40 to £18.40. Chefs Bay puts the median outside London at £35,000, within a range of £32,000 to £38,000. In London, salaries are 15–25% higher: Chefs Bay gives a median of £37,500, while SalaryTax uses a London scenario of £48,000 for a sous chef in a mid-market or hotel restaurant.

These figures are gross annual salaries for full-time permanent roles. They do not include tips, service charge, or overtime, which can add significantly to your income in many kitchens. For a deeper look at how different roles compare, visit our pay guides section.

Take-Home Pay: What You Actually Receive

Your take-home pay depends on tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions. Using the 2026/27 tax bands, a sous chef on £32,000 outside London would take home about £25,408 per year (£2,117 per month) after a 5% pension contribution. On £35,000, take-home is roughly £27,000 annually (depending on exact deductions). In London, a £48,000 salary yields around £36,352 take-home (£3,029 per month).

Remember that these are estimates. Your actual take-home will vary based on your tax code, whether you opt out of the pension, and any additional earnings. Always check your payslip and use HMRC’s online calculator for a precise figure.

Employer Costs: The True Cost of a Sous Chef

If you are an employer or a chef negotiating a contract, understand that the advertised salary is not the full cost. Employer National Insurance at 15% on earnings above £5,000, plus a minimum 3% pension contribution on qualifying earnings, add roughly 23–31% to the headline figure. A £35,000 salary costs the employer around £43,000 to £46,000 once these statutory on-costs are included. This is important context when comparing permanent roles with agency work, where rates are higher but you cover your own tax and NI.

Regional Variations and Other Factors

London and the South East command the highest sous chef salaries, but premiums vary. Outer London may only add 10%, while central London can add 25% or more. Fine dining, hotel restaurants, and high-volume chains also pay differently. Experience, the size of the brigade, and the chef’s reputation all influence the offer.

For a broader view of chef pay across all levels, see our pay data page. And if you are just starting out, our topics section covers everything from commis chef salaries to head chef contracts.

Summary

A sous chef salary in 2026 typically ranges from £32,000 to £44,000 outside London, with London roles reaching £48,000 or more. Age bands rarely apply because sous chefs are almost always over 21, but the NLW remains the legal minimum. Take-home pay is roughly 70–75% of gross after deductions. Always consider the full package, including tips, overtime, and pension, when evaluating an offer.

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