Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Guiding people or projects, setting direction, taking responsibility, and helping others succeed.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
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. PayThe median annual wage for chefs and head cooks was $62,470 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of chefs and head cooks is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 25,200 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chefs and head cooks. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chefs and head cooks with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about chefs and head cooks by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for chefs and head cooks was $62,470 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of chefs and head cooks is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 25,200 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chefs and head cooks. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chefs and head cooks with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about chefs and head cooks by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of chefs and head cooks is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 25,200 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chefs and head cooks. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chefs and head cooks with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about chefs and head cooks by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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 Chef or Head 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 $62,470 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of chefs and head cooks is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 25,200 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chefs and head cooks.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chefs and head cooks with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about chefs and head cooks by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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 Chef or Head 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 $62,470 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of chefs and head cooks is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 25,200 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chefs and head cooks.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chefs and head cooks with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about chefs and head cooks by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for chefs and head cooks.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of chefs and head cooks with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about chefs and head cooks by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about chefs and head cooks by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.