A person working as Chef in Thailand typically earns around 62,000 THB. Salaries range from 30,400 THB (lowest) to 96,700 THB (highest).
This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Chef salaries in Thailand vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.
Minimum Salary 30,400 THB |
Median 57,800 THB |
Maximum 96,700 THB |
Salaries for the position Chef in Thailand range from 30,400 THB (starting salary) to 96,700 THB (maximum salary). It should be noted that the given figure is not the legally mandated minimum wage; rather, it represents the lowest figure reported in a salary survey that included thousands of participants and professionals from all regions of the country.
With a median salary of 57,800 THB, half of the professionals who work as Chef in Thailand earn less than this amount, and the other half earn more. The median salary denotes the middle value of salaries. Ideally, you would want to belong to the group earning more than the median salary, located on the right side of the salary distribution graph.
The median is closely associated with two other values known as the 25th and 75th percentiles. By examining the salary distribution chart, it can be determined that 25% of professionals employed as Chef in Thailand earn less than 47,300 THB, while 75% earn more. Similarly, the chart shows that 75% earn less than 66,100 THB while 25% earn more.
To provide a better understanding of expected salaries, we categorized the frequently occurring salaries into different ranges. This approach provides a more precise representation of salary distribution for the job title Chef in Thailand compared to simply calculating the average. The majority of reported salaries, approximately 65%, fall within the range of 36,100 THB to 50,800 THB. About 20% of salaries are below the 36,100 THB mark, while 10% fall within the range of 50,800 THB to 57,500 THB. Only 5% of individuals have salaries exceeding 57,500 THB.
0 - 2 Years | 36,000 THB | |
2 - 5 Years | +29% | 46,300 THB |
5 - 10 Years | +38% | 63,900 THB |
10 - 15 Years | +24% | 79,200 THB |
15 - 20 Years | +7% | 84,800 THB |
20+ Years | +7% | 90,400 THB |
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally, the more years of experience the higher the wage. We broke down salaries by experience level for people working as Chef and this is what we found.
Employees with less than two years of experience earn approximately 36,000 THB.
While someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 46,300 THB, 29% more than someone with less than two year's experience.
Moving forward, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 63,900 THB, 38% more than someone with two to five years of experience.
Additionally, professionals whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 79,200 THB, 24% more than someone with five to ten years of experience.
If the experience level is between fifteen and twenty years, then the expected wage is 84,800 THB, 7% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.
Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 90,400 THB, 7% more than people with fifteen to twenty years of experience.
High School | 51,000 THB | |
Certificate or Diploma | +65% | 84,100 THB |
We all know that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We broke down salaries by education level for the position Chef in order to make a comparison.
Employees at this education level have an average salary of 51,000 THB.
At this level, the average salary becomes 84,100 THB, 65% more than the previous level.
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? For the people who work as Chef in Thailand, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 9%.
Male | 64,300 THB | |
Female | -9% | 58,700 THB |
Individuals working as Chef in Thailand are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 10% every 18 months. The national average annual increment for all professions combined is 8% granted to employees every 17 months.
The term Annual Salary Increase usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rare that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one-year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.
The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 / Increase Frequency
Not all compensation increases are reflected directly in the salary. Some companies offer upgraded packages to their staff instead of cash money. The figures displayed here account only for direct increments to the base salary.
45% of surveyed staff reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 55% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 3% to 6% of their annual salary.
Received Bonus | 55% | |
No Bonus | 45% |
The most standard form of bonus, where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance BonusesOccasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.
Goal-Based BonusesGranted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year BonusesThese types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.
People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.
The main two types of jobs | |
Revenue Generators | Supporting Cast |
Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business. | Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations. |
Example: | Example: |
Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.
Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually, jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fixed amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.
The minimum pay rate per hour for people working as Chef in Thailand is 180 THB. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.
Job Title | Average Salary |
Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering | -100% | |
Airbnb Property Manager | 106,000 THB | +71% |
All Rounder | 41,200 THB | -34% |
Assistant Executive Housekeeper | 29,300 THB | -53% |
Assistant Food and Beverage Controller | 58,100 THB | -6% |
Assistant Food and Beverage Director | 124,000 THB | +100% |
Assistant Hospitality Manager | 142,000 THB | +130% |
Assistant Storekeeper | 26,500 THB | -57% |
Assistant Tour Manager | 61,400 THB | -1% |
Baker and Pastrycook | 35,600 THB | -43% |
Bakery Manager | 71,400 THB | +15% |
Bakery Superintendent | 46,800 THB | -25% |
Banquet Captain | 38,700 THB | -38% |
Banquet Manager | 50,500 THB | -19% |
Banquet Server | 32,000 THB | -48% |
Bar Attendant | 32,200 THB | -48% |
Bar Manager | 69,300 THB | +12% |
Bar Supervisor | 48,400 THB | -22% |
Barista | 38,000 THB | -39% |
Bartender | 38,700 THB | -38% |
Bellman | 30,600 THB | -51% |
Beverage Manager | 80,000 THB | +29% |
Bistro Attendant | 32,900 THB | -47% |
Buffet Chef | 60,700 THB | -2% |
Buffet Host | 32,900 THB | -47% |
Buffet Manager | 74,600 THB | +20% |
Butcher and Slaughterer | 25,700 THB | -59% |
Cafeteria Assistant | 35,600 THB | -43% |
Cafeteria Manager | 59,400 THB | -4% |
Cafeteria Supervisor | 44,400 THB | -28% |
Cake Decorator | 38,700 THB | -38% |
Casino Shift Manager | 110,000 THB | +77% |
Chain Store Customer Support | 53,900 THB | -13% |
Chef | 62,000 THB | -0% |
Chef De Cuisine | 88,400 THB | +43% |
Club Manager | 113,000 THB | +82% |
Cluster Director | 147,000 THB | +140% |
Cluster Revenue Manager | 117,000 THB | +89% |
Cocktail Server | 31,900 THB | -49% |
Coffee Shop Manager | 114,000 THB | +84% |
Concierge | 31,200 THB | -50% |
Confectionery Baker | 38,700 THB | -38% |
Conference and Sales Coordinator | 59,500 THB | -4% |
Conference Services Manager | 71,000 THB | +14% |
Cook | 52,400 THB | -15% |
Corporate Sous Chef | 87,400 THB | +41% |
Corporate Travel Consultant | 91,000 THB | +47% |
Croupier | 41,400 THB | -33% |
Culinary Assistant | 29,000 THB | -53% |
Culinary Associate | 29,400 THB | -53% |
Culinary Tour Guide | 76,900 THB | +24% |
Demi Chef | 60,200 THB | -3% |
Dietary Aide | 61,800 THB | -0% |
Dining Room Supervisor | 57,900 THB | -7% |
Dishwasher | 26,300 THB | -58% |
Duty Manager | 77,300 THB | +25% |
Events Coordinator | 49,500 THB | -20% |
Executive Chef | 73,900 THB | +19% |
Executive Pastry Chef | 56,800 THB | -8% |
Fast Food Cook | 50,300 THB | -19% |
Fast Food Shift Supervisor | 52,200 THB | -16% |
Fine Dining Cook | 90,100 THB | +45% |
Fine Dining Restaurant Chef | 93,700 THB | +51% |
Fleet Manager | 156,000 THB | +150% |
Food and Beverage Manager | 119,000 THB | +92% |
Food and Beverage Trend Analyst | 77,100 THB | +24% |
Food Consultant | 99,100 THB | +60% |
Food Photographer | 63,600 THB | +3% |
Food Policy Analyst | 86,700 THB | +40% |
Food Safety Auditor | 81,900 THB | +32% |
Food Safety Compliance Manager | 96,200 THB | +55% |
Food Safety Coordinator | 74,200 THB | +20% |
Food Server | 30,300 THB | -51% |
Food Service Director | 116,000 THB | +87% |
Food Service Manager | 134,000 THB | +120% |
Food Service Sales | 75,800 THB | +22% |
Food Service Worker | 30,000 THB | -52% |
Food Stylist | 54,700 THB | -12% |
Food Sustainability Consultant | 88,500 THB | +43% |
Front Desk Agent | 36,600 THB | -41% |
Front Desk Clerk | 35,000 THB | -44% |
Front Office Manager | 64,600 THB | +4% |
Gastronomy Consultant | 72,800 THB | +17% |
Guest Service Executive | 104,000 THB | +68% |
Guest Service Representative | 42,300 THB | -32% |
Head Chef | 77,700 THB | +25% |
Head Concierge | 47,600 THB | -23% |
Hospitality Director | 186,000 THB | +200% |
Hospitality Technology Specialist | 74,800 THB | +21% |
Hostess / Host | 37,000 THB | -40% |
Hotel Desk Clerk | 35,300 THB | -43% |
Hotel Maid | 26,200 THB | -58% |
Hotel Manager | 184,000 THB | +200% |
Hotel Revenue Manager | 107,000 THB | +73% |
Hotel Sales Manager | 139,000 THB | +120% |
Hotel Service Supervisor | 105,000 THB | +69% |
Hotel Staff | 33,500 THB | -46% |
Inventory Coordinator | 41,400 THB | -33% |
Kitchen Manager | 58,500 THB | -6% |
Kitchen Staff | 32,600 THB | -47% |
Kitchen Supervisor | 54,100 THB | -13% |
Line Cook | 53,900 THB | -13% |
Luggage Porter | 26,300 THB | -58% |
Molecular Gastronomist | 86,800 THB | +40% |
Motel Manager | 99,300 THB | +60% |
Pastry Chef | 54,100 THB | -13% |
Pastrycooking and Baking Assistant | 34,400 THB | -45% |
Personal Chef | 76,200 THB | +23% |
Production Operator | 49,700 THB | -20% |
Quality, Health and Safety Coordinator | 54,200 THB | -13% |
Receptionist | 39,000 THB | -37% |
Regional Restaurant Manager | 144,000 THB | +130% |
Restaurant Manager | 125,000 THB | +100% |
Restaurant Server | 30,400 THB | -51% |
Room Reservations Manager | 125,000 THB | +100% |
Room Service Manager | 109,000 THB | +76% |
Sous Chef | 71,800 THB | +16% |
Special Events Coordinator | 69,900 THB | +13% |
Supervisor of Food Services | 81,600 THB | +32% |
Sustainable Catering Coordinator | 76,000 THB | +23% |
Sustainable Tourism Consultant | 78,300 THB | +26% |
Tour Consultant | 86,500 THB | +39% |
Tour Guide | 60,400 THB | -3% |
Tour Manager | 76,700 THB | +24% |
Travel Agent | 62,100 THB | +0% |
Travel Consultant | 92,800 THB | +50% |
Virtual / Augmented Reality Tourism Specialist | 74,700 THB | +20% |
Waiter / Waitress | 31,500 THB | -49% |
Wedding Planner | 101,000 THB | +63% |
Where can you get paid more, working in a private company or the government? The difference between the public or government sector salaries and the private sector salaries in Thailand is 7% on average across all career fields.
Private Sector | 94,300 THB | |
Public Sector | +7% | 101,000 THB |
A good and competitive compensation would range anywhere between 57,800 THB and 66,100 THB. This is a very rough estimate. Experience and education play a very huge part in the final earnings.
All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.
The base salary for a careers like Chef in Thailand ranges from 30,400 THB to 47,300 THB. The base salary depends on many factors including experience and education. It is not easy to provide a figure with very little information, so take this range with a grain of salt.
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people earn more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary