All careers › Cooks, Private Household
Private chef: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $36,090lowest 10% earn less
- $40,63025th percentile
- $47,940median
- $55,45075th percentile
- $91,130top 10% earn more
Cooks in private households had a median pay of $47,940 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to grow 5.1% from 2025 to 2035[2].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +5.1%[2]
- Openings per year
- 5,000[5]
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award[6]
How much do private chefs make?
The official BLS category is Cooks, Private Household. O*NET says it includes personal chefs[7]. The median pay was $47,940 a year, or $23.05 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $53,680 a year, or $25.81 an hour[8].
For all occupations in the US, the median annual wage was $50,980[4]. The median for this job was below that figure.
The range is wide, especially at the top:
| Point in the range | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[3][9] | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| 25th percentile[3][9] | $40,630 | $19.54 |
| Median[1] | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| 75th percentile[3][9] | $55,450 | $26.66 |
| 90th percentile[3][9] | $91,130 | $43.81 |
The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $36,090, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $91,130[3]. A percentile is a boundary line in the pay list. BLS publishes these boundaries and no starting salary[10].
These wages come from OEWS, which counts about 1,100 wage and salary jobs in this category[11]. OEWS leaves out the self-employed, bonuses not tied to production, and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[12]. In 2025, 79.7% of cooks in private households were self-employed[13]. So the figures above describe only the wage and salary part of this job.
Pay by state and city
The state data is thin. Only one state, New York, had a published median, at $37,440 a year with 140 jobs[14]. New York also had the most jobs, followed by California with 110[15]. Among metro areas, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ had the most jobs, at 150[16]. With counts this small, no ranking of states or cities is possible.
Show median pay in 1 states
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| New York[14] | $37,440 | 140 |
How to become a private chef
BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical education for entry. It lists less than 5 years of related work experience and no typical on-the-job training[6]. In an O*NET survey of 26 workers, 38% said a post-secondary certificate is required, 31% said a high school diploma or the equivalent, 15% said less than high school, and 12% said an associate's degree or other 2-year degree[17].
The next steps come from a BLS profile that covers cooks in general, so they describe a wider group than this page[18].
- First: Learn kitchen basics. Cooks typically learn on the job, and some attend culinary schools or vocational and apprenticeship programs[19].
- Next: Think about a program. Vocational cooking schools, culinary institutes and some colleges offer programs that generally last from a few months to 2 years[20].
- Then: Gain experience. Many cooks, including those in private households, learn through work experience, such as starting as a kitchen helper or food preparation worker[21].
- Also possible: An apprenticeship, which typically lasts about 1 year[22].
Some states and localities require a food handler's certification[23]. Check with your state or local licensing board for details[23].
What private chefs do
O*NET describes the job as preparing meals in private homes[7]. Reported tasks include:
- Peeling, washing, trimming and cooking vegetables and meats, and baking breads and pastries[24].
- Cooling, packaging, labeling and freezing food for later, with reheating instructions[24].
- Planning menus around the employer's needs and diet restrictions[24].
- Shopping for or ordering food, supplies and equipment[24].
- Cooking meals for the family, and sometimes for other household staff[24].
- Keeping records on menus and finances[24].
- Stocking and cleaning kitchens and utensils[24].
- Preparing food for parties, holidays and other social events[24].
O*NET sample titles include personal chef and private chef[25].
Where they work
This job is done in private homes[7]. The details below come from the broader BLS cooks profile. Cooks stand for long periods and often work in a fast-paced setting[26]. Common hazards include slips, falls, cuts and burns, and cooks wear items such as gloves, aprons and nonslip shoes to lower the risk[27]. Schedules differ from job to job, and shifts can fall in early mornings, late evenings, weekends or holidays[28].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of cooks in private households to grow 5.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 35,400 to 37,200 jobs[2]. That is a gain of 1,800 jobs[2]. For all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[29]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[2].
BLS expects about 5,000 openings a year on average from 2025 to 2035[5]. Openings count new jobs and also spots left by people who retire or switch to another field[5]. Each year, 5.9% of workers leave the labor force and 7.5% move to a different occupation[30].
Is it a good fit?
The facts show a small occupation where most workers work for themselves[13]. Median pay for wage and salary workers was below the all-occupations median, but the 90th percentile reached $91,130[1][4][3]. Growth is projected above the all-occupations rate[2][29]. Pay for self-employed private chefs is not covered by these figures[12].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a private chef make an hour?
- The median hourly wage for cooks in private households was $23.05 in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $17.35 and the 90th percentile was $43.81[9].
- What training do you need to be a private chef?
- BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry education[6]. For cooks in general, culinary programs generally last from a few months to 2 years[20].
- Are private chef jobs in demand?
- BLS projects 5.1% growth for cooks in private households from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][29]. About 5,000 openings a year are projected[5].
- Are most private chefs self-employed?
- BLS reports that 79.7% of cooks in private households were self-employed in 2025[13].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Cooks, Private Household in the US was $47,940 per year and $23.05 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Cooks, Private Household is projected to grow 5.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 35,400 to 37,200 jobs (a change of +1,800). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Cooks, Private Household: 10th percentile $36,090, 25th percentile $40,630, 75th percentile $55,450, 90th percentile $91,130. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 5,000 openings for Cooks, Private Household are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Cooks, Private Household: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: Less than 5 years; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- O*NET description of Cooks, Private Household. O*NET OnLine
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Cooks, Private Household was $53,680 per year and $25.81 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Cooks, Private Household: 10th percentile $17.35, 25th percentile $19.54, 75th percentile $26.66, 90th percentile $43.81. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 1,100 people were employed as Cooks, Private Household in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: 79.7% of Cooks, Private Household were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- Median annual wage for Cooks, Private Household in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Cooks, Private Household jobs: New York 140; California 110. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Cooks, Private Household jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 150. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- O*NET 35-2013.00 survey of workers (26 respondents), education level they say is required: Post-Secondary Certificate 38%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 31%, Less than a High School Diploma 15%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 12% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Cooks" covers Cooks, Private Household together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET task list for Cooks, Private Household. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 35-2013.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Certified Personal Chef (CPC), Personal Chef, Personal Private Chef, Private Chef. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Cooks, Private Household: 5.9% of workers leave the labor force each year and 7.5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.