Find accredited Culinary training programs near you
$62,470
Avg. Salary
6.6%
Job Growth
6-24 months
Program Length
318
Schools Listed
Culinary arts programs teach cooking techniques, food safety, menu planning, and kitchen management. Launch a career as a chef, cook, or food service professional.
Culinary Arts programs typically take 6-24 months to complete and combine classroom instruction with hands-on training using industry-standard tools and equipment. Graduates enter the workforce earning an average of $62,470 per year, with experienced professionals earning significantly more.
Earning certifications like ServSafe Certification and ACF Certification can increase your employability and qualify you for higher-paying positions. Many Culinary training programs include certification prep as part of the curriculum.
$62,470
National median salary
6.6%
10-year job growth
6-24 months
Typical training length
The demand for skilled culinary artss continues to grow as experienced workers retire and new infrastructure projects create additional opportunities. Trade school graduates often start working immediately after completing their training, with many programs offering job placement assistance and connections to local employers.
1247 Jimmie Kerr Road, Graham, NC 27253
$5,056
2 years
View Details →843 4th Street, Kotzebue, AK 99752
$7,182
9 months
View Details →809 Second Ave, Seward, AK 99664
$3,287
9 months
View Details →1704 South Slappey Blvd, Albany, GA 31701
$1,284
8 weeks
View Details →12401 Willowbrook Rd SE, Cumberland, MD 21502
$5,040
1 year
View Details →4700 College Oak Drive, Sacramento, CA 95841
$3,000
12-24 months
View Details →Showing 6 of 318 schools. Select a state in the sidebar to view all schools in your area.
National figures for chefs and head cooks from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The 90th percentile is a better guide to what the trade can pay than the median, which describes the middle of the field.
$62,470
Median pay
$98,560
Top 10% earn above
$37,900
Lowest 10% earn below
200,040
Employed nationally
Employment is projected to grow 6.6% over 2025-2035, with about 25,200 openings a year from growth and retirements combined. The typical way in is high school diploma or equivalent.