Chefs and Lead Cook Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
Courses offered by high school or vocational school programs are basic food safety and handling procedures, cooking, general business and computer classes. Many school districts provide on-the-job training and summer workshops for cafeteria kitchen workers who want to become chefs. Food service management companies and hotel and restaurant chains also offer paid internships and summer jobs to those starting out in the field.
The American Culinary Federation accredits more than 200 formal academic training programs and sponsors apprenticeship programs around the country. A typical apprenticeship lasts 2 years through combined classroom training and work experience.
Training and Education
Employees often obtain work experience in a related occupation before starting. The percentage of chefs and lead cooks with college degrees is 14%. Workers with some college (less than a bachelor's degree) represent about 39% of the total. Some employees, about 48%, had a high-school education.
Job Overview
Chefs and lead cooks prepare, cook and season a wide range of dishes. They work in restaurants, hotels and institutions. Assistants also help them by peeling and cutting vegetables, preparing poultry and trimming meat. The assistants also perform other duties such as keeping work areas clean and monitoring temperatures of ovens and stovetops. Chefs and lead cooks decide on serving sizes, plan menus, order food supplies and oversee kitchen operations to ensure uniform quality and presentation of meals. The restaurant in which they work often determines the specific duties of chefs and lead cooks. Chefs and lead cooks may also hire and train cooks. They also keep records of food supplies that are used and analyze the cost of supplies and labor..
Job Requirements
The American Culinary Federation certifies pastry professionals, personal chefs and culinary educators, in addition to various levels of chefs. Certification standards are based primarily on experience and formal training. Although certification is not required, it can help to prove accomplishment and lead to advancement and higher-paying positions.
Chefs and lead cooks should be efficient, quick and be able to work well in a team. They are required to have creativity and an intense sense of taste and smell. Personal cleanliness is essential because most organizations require health certificates indicating that workers are free from communicable diseases.
Nature of Work
Chefs and lead cooks work in diverse environments depending on the type and quantity of food they are preparing and also on the local laws governing food service operations. They need to stand for hours at a time and work near hot ovens and grills. They may be required to work in the early mornings, late evenings, holidays and even weekends.
Area Job Conditions
Popular locations for chefs and lead cooks include Atlantic City (New Jersey), Brunswick (Georgia), and Barnstable (Massachusetts). Fewer are found in Fort Wayne (Indiana), Tallahassee (Florida), and Provo (Utah).
Workers looking for high salaries should look at Terre Haute (Indiana), Sebastian (Florida), and Napa (California), and should avoid Morristown (Tennessee), Mobile (Alabama), and Brunswick (Georgia).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Part-time chefs and lead cooks are 8% of all surveyed. Some workers, about 7%, work for themselves.
Career Videos
Chefs and Lead Cooks by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $56,000 | 90 | -72% |
| Mobile | $35,000 | 120 | +9% |
| Montgomery | $45,000 | 40 | -61% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | $44,000 | 80 | +148% |
| Phoenix | $45,000 | 1,860 | +62% |
| Prescott | $34,000 | 50 | +62% |
| Tucson | $41,000 | 480 | +119% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $46,000 | 70 | -45% |
| Hot Springs | $32,000 | 40 | +102% |
| Little Rock | 160 | -28% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $49,000 | 40 | -76% |
| Fresno | $39,000 | 80 | -61% |
| Los Angeles | $47,000 | 3,050 | +16% |
| Napa | $50,000 | 140 | +285% |
| Oakland | $55,000 | 570 | -12% |
| Oxnard | $49,000 | 220 | +16% |
| Riverside | $50,000 | 640 | -18% |
| Sacramento | $43,000 | 620 | +10% |
| Salinas | $55,000 | 110 | +11% |
| San Diego | $50,000 | 1,010 | +19% |
| San Francisco | $54,000 | 1,400 | +117% |
| San Jose | $44,000 | 790 | +36% |
| San Luis Obispo | 50 | -10% | |
| Santa Ana | $48,000 | 820 | -13% |
| Santa Barbara | $53,000 | 170 | +63% |
| Santa Cruz | $47,000 | 100 | +93% |
| Santa Rosa | $45,000 | 250 | +131% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | $47,000 | 200 | +25% |
| Denver | $47,000 | 900 | +11% |
| Fort Collins | $39,000 | 90 | +17% |
| Grand Junction | $41,000 | 30 | -8% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $56,000 | 540 | +97% |
| Hartford | $52,000 | 610 | +64% |
| New Haven | $60,000 | 240 | +39% |
| Norwich | $61,000 | 140 | +87% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $50,000 | 110 | -47% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $44,000 | 3,340 | +111% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $41,000 | 190 | +57% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $44,000 | 360 | -20% |
| Jacksonville | $50,000 | 160 | -59% |
| Lakeland | 50 | -58% | |
| Miami | $54,000 | 1,240 | +95% |
| Naples | $60,000 | 240 | +253% |
| Orlando | $49,000 | 680 | +3% |
| Pensacola | $48,000 | 50 | -46% |
| Port St Lucie | $45,000 | 110 | +51% |
| Sarasota | $52,000 | 170 | +9% |
| Tallahassee | $48,000 | 50 | -50% |
| Tampa | $42,000 | 880 | +18% |
| West Palm Beach | $49,000 | 930 | +178% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $38,000 | 1,330 | -12% |
| Augusta | $30,000 | 230 | +78% |
| Brunswick | $34,000 | 80 | +251% |
| Columbus | $32,000 | 110 | +64% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $43,000 | 920 | +225% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coeur Dalene | $29,000 | 50 | +74% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $47,000 | 60 | +46% |
| Champaign | $49,000 | 110 | +78% |
| Chicago | $37,000 | 3,670 | +49% |
| Springfield | $28,000 | 100 | +53% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Wayne | $49,000 | 30 | -77% |
| Gary | $41,000 | 70 | -59% |
| Indianapolis | $44,000 | 280 | -52% |
| Lafayette | $33,000 | 50 | +12% |
| South Bend | $44,000 | 120 | +51% |
| Terre Haute | $54,000 | 50 | +26% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ames | $36,000 | 40 | +95% |
| Davenport | $44,000 | 110 | -6% |
| Des Moines | $45,000 | 50 | -76% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | 80 | +169% | |
| Wichita | $39,000 | 100 | -45% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | $38,000 | 150 | -1% |
| Louisville | $38,000 | 210 | -47% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $52,000 | 50 | +34% |
| Baton Rouge | $31,000 | 240 | +0% |
| Houma | $34,000 | 90 | +58% |
| Lake Charles | $40,000 | 140 | +166% |
| New Orleans | $36,000 | 690 | +102% |
| Shreveport | $44,000 | 260 | +132% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | $40,000 | 120 | -5% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $44,000 | 1,120 | +31% |
| Bethesda | $52,000 | 420 | +12% |
| Hagerstown | $49,000 | 70 | +20% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $51,000 | 250 | +317% |
| Boston | $50,000 | 1,530 | +35% |
| Framingham | $54,000 | 70 | -31% |
| Haverhill | $40,000 | 80 | +64% |
| Leominster | $38,000 | 60 | +114% |
| Peabody | $56,000 | 110 | +79% |
| Springfield | $44,000 | 180 | -5% |
| Taunton | $41,000 | 80 | +218% |
| Worcester | $44,000 | 310 | +94% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $57,000 | 150 | +44% |
| Battle Creek | $51,000 | 40 | +36% |
| Bay City | $35,000 | 30 | +70% |
| Detroit | $42,000 | 340 | -22% |
| Flint | $33,000 | 80 | +0% |
| Grand Rapids | $40,000 | 160 | -34% |
| Holland | $44,000 | 110 | +90% |
| Kalamazoo | $35,000 | 70 | -16% |
| Lansing | $36,000 | 160 | +28% |
| Saginaw | $48,000 | 50 | +3% |
| Warren | $44,000 | 320 | -54% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $39,000 | 100 | +25% |
| Minneapolis | $44,000 | 1,040 | -10% |
| Rochester | $46,000 | 50 | -19% |
| St Cloud | $40,000 | 50 | -13% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $40,000 | 160 | +145% |
| Jackson | $41,000 | 40 | -75% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | $41,000 | 40 | +60% |
| Kansas City | $41,000 | 590 | -11% |
| Springfield | $42,000 | 50 | -58% |
| St Louis | $51,000 | 500 | -43% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula | $27,000 | 90 | +201% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $37,000 | 40 | -60% |
| Omaha | $41,000 | 270 | -11% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carson City | $35,000 | 30 | +118% |
| Las Vegas | $49,000 | 2,370 | +330% |
| Reno | $46,000 | 250 | +109% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $39,000 | 110 | +75% |
| Nashua | $42,000 | 240 | +184% |
| Portsmouth | $40,000 | 80 | +141% |
| Rochester | $45,000 | 40 | +30% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $62,000 | 270 | +201% |
| Camden | $49,000 | 240 | -29% |
| Edison | $57,000 | 400 | -40% |
| Newark | $56,000 | 460 | -29% |
| Trenton | $59,000 | 60 | -58% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $32,000 | 190 | -23% |
| Santa Fe | $44,000 | 130 | +261% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $53,000 | 150 | -48% |
| Buffalo | $44,000 | 340 | -5% |
| Glens Falls | $45,000 | 60 | +101% |
| Ithaca | $56,000 | 50 | +119% |
| Kingston | $53,000 | 40 | +14% |
| Nassau | $64,000 | 540 | -35% |
| New York | $80,000 | 3,120 | -8% |
| Poughkeepsie | $52,000 | 120 | -23% |
| Rochester | $50,000 | 260 | -20% |
| Syracuse | $42,000 | 80 | -60% |
| Utica | $41,000 | 110 | +44% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $46,000 | 100 | -10% |
| Charlotte | $44,000 | 820 | +47% |
| Durham | $35,000 | 270 | +54% |
| Greensboro | $45,000 | 150 | -34% |
| Hickory | 50 | -45% | |
| Raleigh | $39,000 | 590 | +77% |
| Winston Salem | $41,000 | 40 | -70% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $36,000 | 80 | +7% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $44,000 | 110 | -47% |
| Canton | $34,000 | 50 | -52% |
| Cincinnati | $39,000 | 610 | -8% |
| Cleveland | $40,000 | 670 | +1% |
| Columbus | $47,000 | 290 | -52% |
| Dayton | $48,000 | 70 | -72% |
| Toledo | 110 | -41% | |
| Youngstown | $38,000 | 110 | -23% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $38,000 | 290 | -22% |
| Tulsa | $35,000 | 190 | -31% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $42,000 | 90 | +145% |
| Eugene | $36,000 | 140 | +61% |
| Medford | $42,000 | 30 | -35% |
| Portland | $48,000 | 650 | -2% |
| Salem | $46,000 | 50 | -46% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $47,000 | 160 | -28% |
| Lancaster | $40,000 | 210 | +41% |
| Lebanon | $35,000 | 40 | +56% |
| Philadelphia | $45,000 | 1,210 | -3% |
| Pittsburgh | $41,000 | 650 | -13% |
| Reading | $41,000 | 80 | -23% |
| Scranton | $36,000 | 130 | -22% |
| State College | $40,000 | 80 | +119% |
| York | $33,000 | 60 | -46% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $50,000 | 500 | +39% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $36,000 | 520 | +183% |
| Columbia | $34,000 | 190 | -15% |
| Greenville | $50,000 | 180 | -6% |
| Myrtle Beach | $41,000 | 160 | +141% |
| Spartanburg | $46,000 | 70 | -1% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $30,000 | 130 | -10% |
| Jackson | 50 | +47% | |
| Kingsport | $37,000 | 70 | -6% |
| Knoxville | $28,000 | 290 | +36% |
| Memphis | $33,000 | 680 | +70% |
| Nashville | $38,000 | 370 | -23% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | $45,000 | 460 | -10% |
| Beaumont | $60,000 | 50 | -50% |
| College Station | $37,000 | 30 | -46% |
| Dallas | $45,000 | 920 | -33% |
| El Paso | $36,000 | 280 | +61% |
| Fort Worth | $48,000 | 570 | +1% |
| Houston | $46,000 | 880 | -49% |
| Lubbock | $42,000 | 30 | -61% |
| San Antonio | $34,000 | 790 | +39% |
| Tyler | $33,000 | 80 | +48% |
| Waco | $35,000 | 40 | -34% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden | $39,000 | 50 | -60% |
| Provo | $37,000 | 70 | -34% |
| Salt Lake City | $48,000 | 330 | -16% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $36,000 | 140 | +106% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | $46,000 | 50 | -3% |
| Harrisonburg | $48,000 | 40 | +24% |
| Lynchburg | $34,000 | 50 | -16% |
| Richmond | $51,000 | 300 | -25% |
| Roanoke | $39,000 | 80 | -17% |
| Virginia Beach | $44,000 | 500 | +2% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $42,000 | 50 | +15% |
| Bremerton | $47,000 | 60 | +21% |
| Mount Vernon | $41,000 | 30 | +21% |
| Seattle | $44,000 | 1,200 | +31% |
| Tacoma | $45,000 | 220 | +31% |
| Yakima | $40,000 | 40 | -20% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $43,000 | 70 | -22% |
| Morgantown | $55,000 | 40 | +31% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $36,000 | 60 | -14% |
| Fond | $34,000 | 50 | +110% |
| La Crosse | $38,000 | 50 | +19% |
| Madison | $38,000 | 310 | +43% |
| Milwaukee | $37,000 | 560 | +4% |
| Racine | $38,000 | 40 | -9% |
| Sheboygan | $46,000 | 70 | +118% |