What does a chef do? Duties, pay, education and outlook
Chefs and head cooks oversee the daily food preparation at restaurants and other places where food is served. They plan menus, supervise kitchen staff and make sure food is fresh and safe. The typical entry-level education is a high school diploma, but five or more years of related experience is usually expected, often starting as a line cook.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| O*NET-SOC code | 35-1011.00 (Chefs and Head Cooks) |
| Typical entry-level education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Work experience | 5 years or more in a related occupation |
| Licensing | Some states and localities require food handler's certification |
| Median annual wage | $62,470 per year (May 2025, BLS) |
| Projected growth | 7 percent, 2025 to 2035 (much faster than average) |
| Number of jobs | 220,300 (2025) |
| Projected openings | About 25,200 per year, on average, over the decade |
What does a chef do?
The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) lists these duties:
- Check the freshness of food and ingredients.
- Supervise cooks and other food preparation workers.
- Develop recipes and plate presentations.
- Plan menus and ensure meal quality.
- Inspect supplies, equipment and work areas.
- Hire, train and supervise kitchen staff.
- Order and maintain food and supply inventory.
- Monitor sanitation and kitchen safety.
Work environment
Food services and drinking places employ 64 percent of chefs and head cooks, traveler accommodation 8 percent, self-employed workers 7 percent, amusement, gambling and recreation 5 percent and healthcare and social assistance 4 percent. Chefs often work early mornings, late evenings, weekends and holidays. Most work full time and some work more than 40 hours per week. The work is fast paced with long periods of standing, and common hazards such as burns, slips and cuts are usually not serious.
Education, training and licensing
- Education: Typically a high school diploma plus work experience. Culinary programs are offered at community colleges, technical schools, culinary arts schools and 4-year colleges.
- Apprenticeships: Available through culinary institutes, industry associations, trade unions and sometimes the Armed Forces.
- Experience: Many start as line cooks and gain years of kitchen experience before advancing.
- Certification: Some states and localities require a food handler's certification. Other certifications are optional but may support advancement and higher pay.
Skills that matter
The OOH names business skills, communication skills, creativity, dexterity, leadership, physical stamina, sense of taste and smell, and time management. O*NET lists the skills, knowledge and work activities for this occupation, which is useful when you tailor a resume.
How much do chefs and head cooks make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $62,470 per year (May 2025). The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,900 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $98,560. Our guide on how to research pay explains how to compare this with an offer.
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations, a gain of 14,400 jobs, with about 25,200 openings projected each year on average over the decade, mostly from replacing workers who change occupations or leave the labor force.
How to get hired
- Start in the kitchen. Most chefs work up from line cook roles, so apply for cook positions where you can learn from a strong head cook.
- Consider formal training. A culinary program or apprenticeship can speed the path, and some employers value it.
- Check local food safety rules. Some states and localities require food handler's certification.
- Show leadership on your resume. Include menu planning, ordering, scheduling and training. See no experience resume if you are starting out, or career change resume if you are switching.
- Search steadily. Use our find a job fast routine and search jobs on LiveRec.
Related occupations
Bakers; cooks; food and beverage serving and related workers; food preparation workers; food service managers.
Frequently asked questions
Do chefs need to go to culinary school? No. A high school diploma plus work experience is typical, though culinary programs and apprenticeships are available.
How many years of experience do chefs need? BLS lists 5 years or more of related experience, and many start as line cooks.
Do chefs need a certification? Some states and localities require a food handler's certification. Other certifications are optional.
Is the chef occupation growing? BLS projects 7 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average.
Related guides
Sources
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Chefs and Head Cooks: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/chefs-and-head-cooks.htm (accessed 31 October 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, Chefs and Head Cooks (35-1011.00): https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/35-1011.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.