⭐ Bright Outlook
Chefs and Head Cooks
O*NET 35-1011.00 · SOC 35-1011
Projected Growth
+9%
2024–2034
Median Salary
$59k
per year
Annual Openings
20k
positions/year
Education Level
Zone 3
Medium preparation needed (vocational or associate's)
Education & How to Get In
📋
Job Zone 3
Medium preparation needed (vocational or associate's)
Most Chefs and Head Cooks positions require an associate degree or vocational training. Many community colleges and technical schools offer relevant programs that can be completed in 1–2 years, often with hands-on clinical or lab experience built in.
Work Environment
Primary Setting
Leadership — offices, client meetings, or hybrid
Work Style
Collaborative — frequent interaction with teams, clients, or patients
Personality Fit (RIASEC)
Enterprising (Persuaders)5.1
Realistic (Doers)4.8
Conventional (Organizers)4.3
Social (Helpers)3.0
Artistic (Creators)2.7
Investigative (Thinkers)1.7
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