How Much Do People With Culinary Degrees Make?

Culinary degree graduates can earn a wide range of salaries.

Graduates of culinary degree programs are typically hired as various types of chefs, restaurant managers and caterers. Salaries for people with culinary degrees can vary widely depending on the type and size of a given employer and the employer's general location.

Chefs

As of May 2008, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median salary for chefs and head cooks was $38,770. However, some job-search companies report that executive chefs working in large metropolitan areas earn between $76,000 and $100,000. Sous chefs can earn as much as $49,000 on average, and current salary ranges for a pastry chef are between $24,500 and $66,500.

Restaurant Managers

Restaurant managers are typically culinary school graduates who have received training in business and culinary aspects of restaurants. National earning figures for restaurant managers currently average between $29,637 and $45,847; however, those working in major cities and for fine-dining establishments earn substantially more, from $41,143 to $60,630.

Caterers

Food caterers' earnings can also vary considerably. Current nationwide annual wages for caterers range from $20,800 to $41,849. Those working as catering directors, however, are paid much higher salaries. Depending of the level of service provided and the location of the company, a catering director can earn anywhere from $57,000 to $68,200 per year.

References

• US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Chefs, Head Cooks, and Food Preparation and Serving Supervisors
• PayScale: Salary Snapshot for Pastry Chef Jobs
• RWM Vocational Schools Database: Capturing a Culinary Career
• PayScale: Salary Snapshot for Restaurant Manager Jobs
• All Recipes: Culinary Career Salaries
• PayScale: Hourly Rate Snapshot for Food Caterer Jobs