Average Chefs Salary in Birmingham
ONS ASHE 2025 · West Midlands region · Updated October 2025
How Birmingham compares
The median pay for chefss in the West Midlands stood at £25,542 in 2025, placing them 3.7% below the UK-wide figure of £26,531. In practical terms, living costs in the West Midlands run 8.5% below average. That means £25,542 stretches to roughly £27,915 in real spending power. Compared to the Birmingham average across all roles (£33,374), chefss take home 23.5% less.
Cost of Living Adjustment
After adjusting for the regional cost of living (West Midlands index: 91.5, UK=100), a salary of £25,542 has an effective purchasing power of approximately £27,915 — equivalent to earning that amount in an area with average UK costs. The cost of living in the West Midlands is 8.5% below the UK average.
Chefs salary across UK regions
Chefs salary in areas near Birmingham
Salary data is by ONS region. Birmingham is in the West Midlands region. Below are neighbouring regions — click to explore salaries there.
Chefs Salary Guide
The full salary guide includes regional breakdowns, cost-of-living adjustments, year-on-year trends, and in-depth FAQs.
Read the full Chefs salary guide →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average chefs salary in Birmingham?
The median chefs salary in the West Midlands (which includes Birmingham) is £25,542 per year, based on ONS ASHE 2025 data. The mean salary is typically higher due to top earners pulling the average up.
How does chefs pay in Birmingham compare to the UK average?
Chefs in the West Midlands earn 3.7% below the national median of £26,531. Other regions such as London and the South East typically offer higher salaries for this role.
Is chefs a well-paid job in Birmingham compared to other roles?
The average salary across all jobs in Birmingham is £33,374. Chefs in the West Midlands earn £25,542, which is 23.5% below the local average across all occupations.
About this data
Salary figures for chefss cover the West Midlands region. The all-jobs average is specific to Birmingham. Source: ONS ASHE 2025. Methodology.