Chef/Head Cook in Savannah, GA

A Career Guide for Chef/Head Cooks in Savannah, Georgia

Alright, let's talk shop. If you're a Chef or Head Cook with serious skills, you're probably eyeing Savannah for its vibrant food scene. But you need the straight facts, not the tourist brochure pitch. I’ve lived here long enough to see the kitchens that thrive and the ones that burn out. This guide cuts through the noise. We’ll break down the numbers, the neighborhoods, and the real career path in this historic, humid, and surprisingly affordable city.

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The Salary Picture: Where Savannah Stands

First, the bottom line. Chef/Head Cooks in Savannah are paid less than the national average but more than the cost of living might suggest. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local data, the median salary is $59,553/year, or $28.63/hour. This sits just below the national average of $60,350/year. It’s a small gap, but it matters when you’re budgeting.

The Savannah metro area has 295 jobs for Chef/Head Cooks, with a 10-year job growth projection of 5%. That’s not explosive growth, but it’s steady and sustainable. The tourism industry here is resilient, and the local dining scene continues to evolve from high-end to farm-to-table, creating consistent demand for skilled leaders.

Here’s a realistic breakdown by experience level. Note that Savannah’s market doesn’t always follow national salary curves perfectly due to its mix of high-end resorts and smaller, family-owned restaurants.

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range (Savannah)	Notes
Entry-Level (1-3 years)	$40,000 - $50,000	Often as a line cook or sous chef stepping up. You’ll find these roles in smaller bistros or hotel kitchens.
Mid-Level (4-7 years)	$55,000 - $70,000	This is the median range. You might be a head cook in a mid-sized restaurant or a sous chef at a premier hotel.
Senior-Level (8-12 years)	$70,000 - $85,000	Typically an Executive Sous Chef or Chef de Cuisine at a top-tier establishment (think The Olde Pink House or a high-end resort).
Expert/Executive (12+ years)	$85,000 - $120,000+	This is the ceiling. Executive Chef roles at major resorts (The Alida, Perry Lane Hotel) or large institutional settings (Memorial Health) hit this range.

How does Savannah compare to other GA cities?
Savannah trails Atlanta, where the median is closer to $63,000 due to a larger corporate and fine-dining scene. It’s on par with Augusta and ahead of Macon. However, Savannah’s lower cost of living (more on that below) can make the take-home pay feel more substantial.

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The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get personal with the numbers. Earning the median salary of $59,553 breaks down to about $4,962/month pre-tax. After federal, state (GA has a graduated income tax), and FICA taxes, your take-home pay is roughly $3,800/month (this is an estimate; use a GA tax calculator for precision).

Now, the biggest chunk of your budget: rent. The average 1-bedroom apartment in Savannah costs $1,287/month. Let’s build a sample monthly budget for a Chef/Head Cook at the median.

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$3,800	After taxes.
Rent (1BR)	$1,287	Average for a decent, non-luxury unit.
Utilities (Elec, Water, Gas)	$180	Higher in summer due to AC.
Groceries	$350	You’re a chef, so you might spend more on quality ingredients.
Car Payment & Insurance	$500	Savannah is car-dependent. Insurance rates are moderate.
Gas & Commute	$150	Depends on neighborhood.
Health Insurance	$200	If not fully covered by employer.
Other (Phone, etc.)	$150
Total Essentials	$2,817
Left for Discretionary/Savings	$983	This is where you build an emergency fund or pay down debt.

Can you afford to buy a home?
At the median salary, buying a home in Savannah is a stretch without a significant down payment. The median home price is around $300,000+. A 20% down payment is $60,000. Your monthly mortgage (with taxes/insurance) would likely exceed $1,800, which would consume ~47% of your take-home pay—well above the recommended 30%. Insider Tip: Many local chefs I know buy in more affordable suburbs like Rincon or Pooler and commute, or they wait until they reach the senior/expert salary tier ($80k+) to make the leap.

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Where the Jobs Are: Savannah's Major Employers

The job market here is a mix of historic landmarks, luxury hotels, and major healthcare systems. Networking is key—many jobs are filled via word-of-mouth before they’re ever posted online.

1. The Alida Hotel & Perry Lane Hotel: These two modern luxury hotels in the Historic District and Midtown are top employers for Executive Chefs and culinary directors. They offer stable hours, benefits, and a chance to work with high-end ingredients. Hiring is steady as they cater to both business and leisure travelers.
2. Memorial Health University Medical Center: A major healthcare system with multiple cafeterias, a large catering department, and patient meal services. They hire Chefs and Head Cooks for institutional cooking. It’s a less glamorous but very stable 9-to-5 job with excellent benefits—a popular choice for those seeking work-life balance.
3. The Olde Pink House & Other Historic Fine Dining: This iconic restaurant, and others like The Grey, employ seasoned chefs. These are competitive, creative kitchens. Getting a foot in the door often requires experience in similar high-volume, high-quality settings.
4. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD): SCAD operates numerous dining halls and cafes across its campuses. They hire culinary managers and head cooks. The schedule is often tied to the academic calendar, offering summer breaks—a huge perk for chefs with families.
5. The Savannah Tourism & Hospitality Group: This is a consortium of hotels, resorts, and restaurants (like The Breakfast Club at the Perry Lane). They post jobs on their collective site. It’s a good hub for finding positions in the high-season (spring and fall).
6. Sysco & US Foods (Distribution): While not restaurant employers, these distributors are the backbone of the local scene. Building relationships with their sales reps can lead to job tips and even opportunities in their culinary development arms.

Hiring Trends: Demand is strongest from April to October, aligning with peak tourism. Winter sees a slight lull, but upscale restaurants and hotels remain busy. There's a growing trend toward "farm-to-table" menus, so experience with local sourcing (from the Savannah Farmers Market or nearby farms) is a huge plus.

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Getting Licensed in GA

Georgia has relatively straightforward requirements for chefs, focusing more on food safety than a specific "chef's license."

• Food Protection Certification (ServSafe or equivalent): This is the non-negotiable requirement. If you’re a Head Cook or Chef, you must obtain a Food Protection Manager Certification from an accredited provider (ServSafe is most common). The exam costs $90 - $150. You can take it online or in-person. Most employers will cover this cost.
• Health Department Permit: The Chatham County Health Department issues permits for food service establishments. As the manager, you’ll need to ensure your kitchen is compliant. There’s no direct "chef license," but you are responsible for the facility's permit.
• Business License (if opening your own place): If you dream of a food truck or pop-up, you’ll need a business license from the City of Savannah ($50-$100) and a mobile food vendor permit (more complex, involves health inspections and location approvals).

Timeline: You can study for and pass the ServSafe exam in 1-2 weeks. Most employers expect you to have it or get it within 30 days of hiring. The entire process, from studying to receiving your certificate, can be done in under a month.

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Best Neighborhoods for Chef/Head Cooks

Where you live impacts your commute, budget, and lifestyle. Savannah’s layout is unique—some areas have terrible traffic during tourist season.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Best For
Midtown	Residential but trendy. Close to the Victorian District and Forsyth Park. Easy access to most jobs (hotels, hospitals, downtown restaurants). A 10-15 minute drive to the Historic District.	$1,250 - $1,400	Balance of city access and local living.
Ardsley Park / Chatham Crescent	Historic, beautiful, and walkable. Near the popular Starland District’s restaurants. Commy can be longer (15-20 min) due to traffic. Rent is higher.	$1,400 - $1,700	Chefs who want a classic Savannah lifestyle and can afford it.
Victorian District	Right in the heart of the action. Walk to work if you’re at a downtown hotel or restaurant. Very high tourist foot traffic. Rent is pricey, and parking is a nightmare.	$1,500 - $1,900	Those who want zero commute and live for the energy.
Pooler	Suburban, modern, and affordable. 20-minute drive to downtown. Lots of new apartment complexes. You’ll trade historic charm for space and lower rent.	$1,000 - $1,200	Budget-conscious chefs, especially those with families.
The Landings (on Skidaway Island)	A gated, affluent community. You’ll likely work at a private club or The Landings Restaurant. Very quiet, very expensive.	$1,700 - $2,200+	A niche choice for a chef specializing in club/resort work.

Insider Tip: Avoid the immediate Historic District south of Oglethorpe Avenue if you have an early morning shift. The horse-drawn carriage tours and tourist traffic can make a simple 10-minute commute a 30-minute headache.

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The Long Game: Career Growth

Savannah isn’t the place to become a celebrity chef overnight, but it’s excellent for building a solid, respected career.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Pastry/Baking: Head Bakers at top hotels can earn 10-15% above the standard chef salary.
  • Private Club & Yacht Cooking: Working for a private club (like The Landings) or a large yacht charter company often comes with higher pay ($75k+) and tips, but requires a polished, guest-service focus.
  • Catering & Events: This is a massive industry in Savannah. An experienced catering chef can earn a premium, especially during the wedding season (March-May, October-November).

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Line Cook → Sous Chef: 2-4 years. Prove your consistency and leadership.
  2. Sous Chef → Chef de Cuisine: 4-7 years. Requires menu creation and full kitchen management skills.
  3. Chef de Cuisine → Executive Chef: 8+ years. Involves budgeting, P&L, and costing. Moving to a larger hotel or a multi-unit restaurant group is key.
  4. Executive Chef → Consulting/Owner: This is the entrepreneurial leap. Many successful chefs here run pop-ups or consulting firms for other restaurants before opening their own place.

• 10-Year Outlook: With 5% job growth, competition will remain steady. The chefs who will advance are those who master Southern cuisine with a modern twist, understand cost control in a tight labor market, and build a local network. The rise of "food tourism" means chefs who can create an experience (like a chef's table or a farm dinner) will have an edge.

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The Verdict: Is Savannah Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Lower Cost of Living than the national average (Index of 95.6).	Salaries are slightly below national average.
Strong, Steady Tourism provides year-round job security.	Summers are brutally hot and humid—kitchens get oppressive.
Unique Food Scene blending Lowcountry, Southern, and modern cuisine.	Traffic & Tourism can be frustrating, especially in the Historic District.
Vibrant Community for culinary professionals; easy to network.	Limited Late-Night Scene compared to larger cities.
Proximity to Beaches & Nature (Tybee Island, Skidaway Island).	Car Dependency is high; public transit is limited.

Final Recommendation:

Savannah is an excellent choice for a Chef/Head Cook who values quality of life over maximizing salary. It’s ideal if you appreciate Southern hospitality, want a manageable city with a strong sense of place, and are willing to trade the high-energy, high-cost grind of a metropolis like Atlanta for a more balanced, community-focused career. If your goal is to break into the absolute top tier of culinary earning in the next five years, Atlanta or Charleston might offer more aggressive opportunities. But if you want to build a respected career, enjoy your off-hours, and live in a city that feels like home from day one, Savannah delivers.

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FAQs

Q1: Is the cost of living really that affordable?
A: Yes. With a cost of living index of 95.6 (vs. US avg of 100), your dollar goes further here, especially on housing and groceries. The median salary of $59,553 stretches further in Savannah than it would in most other metro areas of its size.

Q2: What’s the biggest surprise for chefs moving to Savannah?
A: The humidity. A kitchen in July is an endurance test. Also, the pace. It’s not a 24/7 city. Kitchens often close earlier than in larger cities, which can be a pro or con depending on your lifestyle.

Q3: How do I find a job before I move?
A: Use local platforms like Savannah Hospitality Jobs on Facebook and connect with recruiters from major employers like The Alida or Perry Lane on LinkedIn. The best time to apply is January-March, before the summer rush.

Q4: Do I need a car?
A: Absolutely. Savannah’s public transit (Chatham Area Transit) is limited for commuting. Most culinary jobs are spread out from the Historic District to the islands. Without a car, your job options shrink dramatically.

Q5: Are there opportunities for creative freedom?
A: Yes, but often within boundaries. The most creative roles are in boutique hotels and newer restaurants in the Starland District. In historic establishments, the menus are often more traditional. Be upfront in interviews about your desire for creativity.

Data Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Zillow Rent Data, U.S. Census Bureau, Chatham County Health Department, Georgia Department of Revenue.