This factsheet sets out any relevant industry agreements and examples of company pay rates which workers can use to check that they’re getting the ‘going rate’ for their job and as evidence to assist in negotiating a better pay deal. See our Get a better deal leaflet for more tips.
The National Minimum Wage is the absolute minimum rate at which any worker (aged 18 and over) can be paid. Pay above this remains a matter of negotiation between the employer and worker, union or works council. Click here for the current rates.
Average Wages
According to the government’s New Earnings Survey for 2001 (latest figures available), the average earnings for cooks and chefs are as follows:
annually
hourly
Chefs and cooks
£14,005
£6.61
NB. annual rates include overtime and bonus payments, hourly rates do not.
Cooks and chefs tend to work long hours: average weekly hours of 41.2hrs, according to NES.
Industry Agreements
There are no industry agreements covering workers in the catering trade. There are set pay rates for chefs and cooks employed by a local authority, university or the NHS which apply nationally. In recent years there have been moves within the public sector towards local flexibility, but these rates are still important. If you work for one of these organisations and are employed on national terms you can use the information below to check you’re getting the correct rate. If you work for a private company, or for an NHS Trust or similar body, you can use these rates as a guide to help you negotiate your pay.
Local Authorities (England and Wales) From: 1.4.01. For: 37 hr week
(Former manual grades) Grade 1 - Cook 1
£9,267
Grade 2 - Cook 2
£9,588
Grade 3 - Cook 3
£9,912
Grade 4 - Cook 4
£10,233
Holidays: 22 days, 27 after 5 years
Local Authorities (Greater London) From 1.2.01. For: 37 hr week
Inner
Outer
(Former manual grades) Grade 1
£11,931
£11,214
Grade 2
£12,249
£11,532
Grade 3
£12,570
£11,856
Grade 4
£12,888
£12,174
Holidays: 22 days, 25 after 5 years
NHS Ancillary Staff From 1.4.01. For: 39 hr week
Min
Max
Grade C
£166.59
£172.63
Holidays: 20 days, 25 after 10 years London allowances: inner-£2,502pa; outer-£1,488pa; fringe-£235pa
Company Rates
Rates can vary depending on which sector you work in. These are examples of rates paid:
Ford Motor Co. Catering Contractors From 1.8.00. For: 39 hr week
Wage: 4 grades
Commis chef
£5.91phr; £6.34phr; £7.01phr; £7.71phr £5.58phr
Holidays: 21 days Extras: service increments- 4p phr after 1 year; 5p phr after 2
The Dorchester From 1.1.01. For: 39 hr week
Wage:
£15,065
Holidays: 20 days
Your rights
Once pay rates have been agreed, they form part of the worker's terms and conditions and you have the right to be paid the agreed rate. Employers cannot change any term of a contract without the worker's agreement. See our leaflet on terms and conditions
Low Pay Unit, Jan 2002
Please note that some information contained in this sheet from the IDS Pay Benchmark Directory, November 2001 (Incomes Data Services (www.incomesdata.co.uk))
