How much does the head chef at Buckingham Palace earn?
Matthew Wilson
Updated on January 05, 2026
The position is full-time and pays about $28,000 a year — and even less if you decide to live on-site. The chef will prepare food for receptions, state dinners, and staff lunches at Buckingham Palace and other royal residences.
How much does a head chef earn in London?
The average salary for Head Chef is £34,458 per year in the London Area. The average additional cash compensation for a Head Chef in the London Area is £4,428, with a range from £860 - £22,792.How many chefs does Buckingham Palace have?
“Everybody loved fish and chips," explained McGrady. "All the staff, 300 staff at Buckingham Palace, all of the chefs would have fish and chips for lunch.How much does a Buckingham Palace butler make?
If you'd like to train to be a palace butler that job will earn you about £15,000 or $19,000 USD a year. However, The Independent noted that anyone promoted to a butler in a private sector could earn an annual income of more than $100,000.How much do Buckingham Palace servants make?
The starting salary is £19,140.09 ($25,000) and the successful applicant will work full-time for five days per week. With the luxurious living conditions at Buckingham Palace, the staff seem to be living just as comfortably as their royal employers.Former Royal Chef Reveals Queen Elizabeth's Fave Meal And The One Thing She Hates
Does the Queen pay her staff well?
Insider identified 119 jobs at Windsor Castle with advertised pay rates in 2018 that were no more than 15 pence (about $0.20) above the regional living wage of £8.75 an hour that year. Eighty-two percent of the jobs in Windsor were advertised with pay within pennies of the Regional Living Wage.How much does a royal private secretary earn?
The Queen's private secretary is reported to take home around £146,000 a year. But the highest-paid palace role is the keeper of the privy purse. The keeper, who can be paid around £180,000 a year, is responsible for managing the royal family's many expenses while also keeping costs down.Does staff live in Buckingham Palace?
Her Majesty's rules changed in 2018The Queen's impressive homes require a small army to keep operations running smoothly, which is why they boast plenty of bedrooms for live-in staff.