Food Service · Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods
This profile is intended as career exploration guidance based on federal labor data. Actual job requirements, salaries, and opportunities vary by employer and location.
Entry Salary
$31–38k
First 1–2 years
Peak Salary
$86–101k
10+ years experience
Job Outlook
+15% · Growing Fast
Post-pandemic restaurant recovery and food industry expansion driving demand. Experienced chefs with business skills especially valued.
Time to Start
2–4 years
College degree typical
Salary data sourced from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2024. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, employer, and specialization.
Entry-Level Cooks
Chefs and Head Cooks
Experienced Chefs and Head Cooks
Senior Chefs and Head Cooks
Director of Food Service
You prioritize Independence
This career is strongly aligned with Independence — a core work value that shapes how people approach their career decisions.
You're strong in Monitoring
Monitoring is a top skill for this career, and it plays to what students like you naturally do best.
Good fit for your timeline
This career typically requires some college or a registered apprenticeship, which matches common student preparation goals.
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399 schools offer programs in this career field.
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