Chefs and head cooks
SOC Code: 35-1011Also known as:
Baker, Banquet Chef, Bread and Pastry Baker, Cake Froster, Cake Icer
Median Annual Salary
$60,990
+7.1% growth (2024-2034)
24K
Openings/Year
197K
Current Jobs
What Chefs and head cooks Do
Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.
💰 Salary
$60,990
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+7.1%
Faster than average
🎓 Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
24K
Projected average per year
👔 Work Experience
5 years or more
Required before entry
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
197,300
Projected Employment (2034)
211,300
Related Careers
Food service managers
$65,310 •
+6.4% growth
Cooks, institution and cafeteria
$36,450 •
+2.0% growth
Cooks, private household
$44,530 •
+5.1% growth
Cooks, restaurant
$36,830 •
+14.9% growth
Top Skills Required
Coordination
Monitoring
Speaking
Social Perceptiveness
Time Management
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Monitor sanitation practices to ensure that employees follow standards and regulations.
- Instruct cooks or other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, or presentation of food.
- Supervise or coordinate activities of cooks or workers engaged in food preparation.
- Order or requisition food or other supplies needed to ensure efficient operation.
- Inspect supplies, equipment, or work areas to ensure conformance to established standards.
- Check the quantity and quality of received products.
- Check the quality of raw or cooked food products to ensure that standards are met.
- Estimate amounts and costs of required supplies, such as food and ingredients.
- Coordinate planning, budgeting, or purchasing for all the food operations within establishments such as clubs, hotels, or restaurant chains.
- Analyze recipes to assign prices to menu items, based on food, labor, and overhead costs.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Associate's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Chefs and head cooks
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a chefs and head cooks:
Culinary Arts/Chef Training
11,194 degrees awarded •
349 colleges offer this program
Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef
5,539 degrees awarded •
185 colleges offer this program
Cooking and Related Culinary Arts, General
4,165 degrees awarded •
145 colleges offer this program
Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager
1,343 degrees awarded •
110 colleges offer this program
Culinary Science/Culinology
301 degrees awarded •
10 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Chefs and head cooks
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become chefs and head cooks.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valencia College | Orlando, FL | 397 | C+ |
| 2 | Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte, NC | 317 | C+ |
| 3 | Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | 178 | C+ |
| 4 | Dallas College | Dallas, TX | 161 | C+ |
| 5 | Miami Dade College | Miami, FL | 149 | C+ |
| 6 | Francis Tuttle Technology Center | Oklahoma City, OK | 140 | C+ |
| 7 | Houston Community College | Houston, TX | 111 | C+ |
| 8 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College | Cincinnati, OH | 111 | C+ |
| 9 | Cuyahoga Community College District | Cleveland, OH | 103 | C+ |
| 10 | Orange Coast College | Costa Mesa, CA | 90 | C+ |
| 11 | College of Lake County | Grayslake, IL | 86 | C+ |
| 12 | Monroe College | Bronx, NY | 85 | C+ |
| 13 | Orange Technical College-South Campus | Orlando, FL | 82 | C+ |
| 14 | Sinclair Community College | Dayton, OH | 74 | C+ |
| 15 | Utah Valley University | Orem, UT | 73 | C+ |
| 16 | South Texas College | McAllen, TX | 67 | C+ |
| 17 | Pensacola State College | Pensacola, FL | 64 | C+ |
| 18 | Odessa College | Odessa, TX | 64 | C+ |
| 19 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus | Indiana, PA | 64 | C+ |
| 20 | Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | 63 | C+ |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do chefs and head cooks make?
The median annual salary for chefs and head cooks is $60,990.
What education do chefs and head cooks need?
Most chefs and head cooks positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Common degree programs include Culinary Arts/Chef Training, Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef, Cooking and Related Culinary Arts, General.
Is becoming chefs and head cooks a good career choice?
Chefs and head cooks is projected to see +7.1% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is faster than average for all occupations. With approximately 24,400 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for chefs and head cooks?
Top colleges for aspiring chefs and head cooks include
Valencia College, Central Piedmont Community College, Lake Land College, Dallas College, Miami Dade College.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to chefs and head cooks?
Chefs and head cooks may also be known as: Baker, Banquet Chef, Bread and Pastry Baker, Cake Froster, Cake Icer, Cake Maker, Cake Mixer, Certified Executive Chef (CEC), Chef, Chef de Cuisine, Chef de Froid, Chef Manager, Chocolatier, Confectioner, Cook, Cook Manager, Cooking Chef, Corporate Executive Chef, Cuisine Chef, Culinary Artist.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.