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Many people who love to cook or bake turn their hobbies into careers in the culinary field. Some go to culinary schools to take culinary courses such as 2-year associate’s degree programs or 4-year college degree programs. Two-year programs include the Associate of Arts in Baking & Pastry Arts and the Associate of Arts in Culinary Arts, while the 4-year programs include the Bachelor of Arts in Baking and Pastry Arts and the Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts & Food Management. Chefs find employment at food service establishments such as restaurants, hotels, diners, schools, hospitals, cruise ships, and anywhere in between.
Job Prospects
Just about every restaurant has a chef that works or supervises the kitchen. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), chefs and cooks held 152,800 jobs in 2021. Of these, 49% worked in restaurants and other eating places, 11% in special food services, 8% were self-employed. Bakers and pastry chefs held 200,800 jobs in 2021.
Competitive Salary
Salary ranges differ widely for chefs depending on your level, specialty, and location.
A sous chef can make anywhere between $36,000 – $67,000, the median being $50,000.
An executive chef will typically fall between $68,000 – $120,000, the median being $92,000.
A pastry chef can make between $48,000 – $83,000, the median being $65,000.
What your salary will look like depends on the state/city you live in, what type of establishment you are applying for, how many years, and what type of experience you have.
Job Growth
Chefs can work up the ladder by gaining more experience. They can start as prep cooks and become short-order cooks, line chefs, sous chefs, executive chefs, and corporate chefs. Some can become culinary teachers while others may choose to work as private chefs for affluent individuals. In addition, a chef can start his own restaurant or catering business and become his own boss.
To start your chef career, you also don’t need special education. You can begin with a high school diploma as a prep cook and work your way up through different roles in organizations, learning new skills along the way.