Chef: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

Chefs earn a national median of $60,990/yr with 7.1% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Food Production, Production and Processing, Customer and Personal Service.

Median Salary

$60,990

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

7.1%

About as fast as average

Employed Nationally

182,320

2024 data

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a Chef

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Chef candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Coordination 2 Monitoring 3 Speaking 4 Social Perceptiveness 5 Time Management 6 Management of Personnel Resources 7 Critical Thinking 8 Service Orientation 9 Active Listening 10 Instructing

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for Chef performance, based on verified occupational data.

Food Production Production and Processing Customer and Personal Service Personnel and Human Resources Administration and Management

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow 7.1% for Chef roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
182,320
Projected Growth
7.1%
Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Chef do?
Chefs apply expertise in Food Production, Production and Processing, Customer and Personal Service to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Coordination, Monitoring, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness.
How much does a Chef make?
The national median salary for a Chef is $60,990 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is Chef a good career in 2026?
Employment for Chef roles is projected to grow 7.1% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 182,320 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a Chef?
The typical entry-level education for a Chef is High school diploma or equivalent. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do Chefs need?
The most important skills for Chef roles based on verified occupational data: Coordination, Monitoring, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, Time Management, Management of Personnel Resources, Critical Thinking, Service Orientation, Active Listening, Instructing.

Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?

Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.

Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.