Plan A
Chef
What they Do
Chefs and head cooks oversee the daily food preparation at restaurants and other places where food is served.
Work Environment
Chefs and head cooks work in restaurants, hotels, and other food service establishments. They often work early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays. The work can be hectic and fast-paced. Most chefs and head cooks work full time.
How to become a Head Chef or Cook
Chefs and head cooks typically need a high school diploma and work experience to enter the occupation. Some attend a culinary program at a community college, technical school, culinary arts school, or 4-year college. Others learn through apprenticeship programs.
Pay
The median annual wage for chefs and head cooks was $60,990 in May 2024.
Job Outlook
Employment of chefs and head cooks is projected to grow 7 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 24,400 openings for chefs and head cooks are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Similiar Occupations
- Bakers
- Cooks
- Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers
- Food Preparation Workers
- Food Service Managers