Read About Jobs and Industry Growth for Chefs | All Culinary Schools (2024)

FAQs

What is the job growth rate for chefs? ›

Employment of chefs and head cooks is projected to grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. About 22,000 openings for chefs and head cooks are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

The culinary industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the nation. A major portion will be employed in one of the premier tourist destinations and convention sites in America: California.

An Extensive Network

As an ICE alum, you'll receive a weekly email with information about culinary career resources as well as a list of new hospitality and food job openings, including everything from entry-level positions to advanced roles and new business opportunities.

Get access to more opportunities - Even if you work your way up to a head chef position at a restaurant, you won't have nearly as many opportunities as you would have with a culinary arts degree. Chefs with degrees can pursue other positions, such as private chefs, nutritionists, food scientists, food writers and more.

The Job Outlook for Chefs Is Great!

From a practical perspective, the prospects for chefs are looking bright. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates growth for chefs and head cooks as 15% between 2021 and 2031. That's much faster than the average growth for all occupations (just 5% for the same time period).

Worth noting: The top 10% of earners in this role make more than $91,520, indicating that there is the potential to earn $100,000 a year in this career. That is more likely to happen for those who live in major cities or land a job with a big brand or hospitality chain or perhaps find fame as a chef on social media.

Though a relatively small sector, food manufacturing is growing faster than the economy as a whole. Between 2017 and 2022 food manufacturing jobs grew 6.6% in the US compared to 3.8% for all sectors, with an additional 8% projected growth from 2022-2027, again outpacing the overall economy.

In 2021 and 2022, the foodservice industry surpassed pre-pandemic levels. The foodservice and food retailing industries supplied about $2.11 trillion worth of food in 2021 and $2.39 trillion in 2022. Of this total, $1.16 trillion was supplied by foodservice facilities in 2021 and $1.34 trillion in 2022.

Attending a prominent Culinary Arts School provides high-quality training, experienced teachers, and industry connections. Students obtain in-depth knowledge, improve their talents, and get access to cutting-edge approaches. Networking with prominent chefs improves career prospects.

Why is culinary school important? ›

Studying culinary arts will help you expand your horizons in many ways. Not only will it help you become a professional chef, it will give you a deeper appreciation for food as culture, food as art, your health and more, all of which you can pass on to your customers through your own culinary efforts.

Culinary school was particularly helpful for individuals who felt socially disadvantaged in some way. They may have lacked connections and experience, or they were a minority in an industry where white men are more likely to serve as executive chefs.

Many culinary graduates become successful restaurant owners, business managers, food brokers, and product developers. If you're considering a culinary arts degree, continue reading to learn about all the wonderful opportunities that could await you.

In short—culinary school can challenge students to learn new terminology, new techniques, and some of the science behind those techniques. It can be technical and complex, requiring students to focus on both minute detail and the larger picture all at once.

While the path to becoming a chef may require dedication, hard work, and perseverance, the potential for personal and professional growth is immense. If you have a passion for cooking and a desire to bring joy to others through food, pursuing a career as a chef may be the perfect choice for you.

Chefs are in such high demand that they have been added to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) National Skills Priority List, along with pastry chefs and bakers. The hospitality industry has not fared well in the era of the pandemic and great resignation.

A compound annual growth rate of 1.62% is expected (CAGR 2024–2029). The employment rate in the Food market is projected to amount to 0.34% in 2024. The labor efficiency in the Food market is projected to amount to US$138.0k in 2024. The labor productivity in the Food market is projected to amount to US$35.5k in 2024.

The average culinary chef age is 42 years old. The most common ethnicity of culinary chefs is White (54.6%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (17.3%), Asian (11.3%) and Black or African American (11.0%). In 2022, women earned 92% of what men earned. 9% of all culinary chefs are LGBT.

For Chefs, over the period 2022-2031, new job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 33,800 , while 44,900 new job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill them.