Interesting Statistics About Chefs in 2025

Key Findings:

• There are 172,370 Chefs currently employed in the United States.
• The state with the highest employment level for Chefs is California.
• As for metropolitan areas, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area has the largest number of Chefs.
• 79% of Chefs are employed full-time while 21% are part-time.
• 63.4% of Chefs are men, while 36.6% are women.
• Men have also shown slightly higher interest in becoming a Chef compared to women, with a ratio of 1.09 to 1. 
• Chefs earn an average salary of $5,220 per month or $62,640 per year. 
• The top three states where Chefs can likely earn the most are Hawaii, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
• Chefs score their job satisfaction at 2.9 out of 5 and their salary satisfaction at 2.5 out of 5. 

We’ve put together these Chef statistics for 2025 that highlight the realities of the profession — from career paths and demographics to economic pressures and industry shifts. This report breaks down the numbers, providing a data-driven look at the U.S. culinary scene.

Nationwide Chef Employment and Job Outlook

Understanding the scope of the Chef profession requires examining its workforce size and future prospects.

• Total employment: Most recent data shows there are approximately 172,370 Chefs and Head Cooks^* employed in the U.S. (Source)
• Number of jobs: There are around 187,100 Chef jobs available throughout the country. (Source)
• Job outlook: An average of 24,600 openings each year over the next decade. These openings will arise from both newly created positions and the need to replace Chefs who retire or leave the profession.
• Growth rate: There is an 8% expected increase in the demand for Chefs within the next few years.
• Industry employment profile: The majority of Chefs — around 91,660, in fact — find work in restaurants and eating places. Coming in second and third are special food services which employ around 18,990 Chefs and traveler accommodations (aka hotels) which have around 17,870.

These data indicate that there’s a good amount of opportunities for both current Chefs and those aiming to become one. After all, there’s a wide variety of settings where culinary professionals are valued. 

* In this report, we’ll refer to this data group simply as “Chefs” for clarity and consistency.

Chef Employment by Location

Job opportunities for Chefs differ across the country, with some states and metropolitan areas having significantly higher employment levels.

These are the top five states when it comes to employment levels for Chefs.

Additionally, here are the five metropolitan areas with the highest employment levels.

Demographics of Chefs Working in the US

The demographics of the Chef profession offer insights into these individuals shaping most of the culinary industry.

• Employment type: 79% of Chefs work full-time, while 21% are part-time. ​(Source)
• Gender distribution: The majority of Chefs are male, accounting for 63.4% of the workforce, while 36.6% are female. 
• Career interest by gender: At the same time, there is a slightly higher interest in becoming a Chef among men compared to women, with a ratio of 1.09 to 1. 
• Age by gender: The average age for male Chefs is 41, and for female Chefs, it is 42. 
• Age distribution: A significant portion of Chefs in the U.S. (56%) are over 40 years old. Meanwhile, 28% fall between 30 to 40 years old, and only 16% are under 30.
• Educational attainment: Approximately 38% of Chefs have an associate’s degree, while 27% hold a bachelor's degree and 21% have a high school diploma or GED.

Statistics on Salary and Overall Income

Chef salaries in the U.S. depend on their experience, geographic location and position or level. 

• Annual salary: Recent data shows that Chefs’ yearly salaries range from $36,040 to $93,900 per year — averaging $62,640 per year. 
• Monthly salary: Plenty of establishments follow a monthly timeline for Chefs’ paychecks. That said, Chefs in general make $5,220 per month, on average. 
• Regional variations: Hawaii is currently the highest-paying state for Chefs, with an average salary of $99,520 a year. Rhode Island ranks second at $81,170, followed by Massachusetts at $77,120.
• Role type: Salaries can also differ significantly based on the Chef’s specific role, as shown in the table below.

See also: What Restaurants Do Chefs Make the Most Money At?

Job Satisfaction and Challenges Among Chefs

Now, let’s look into the factors that impact the overall experience of Chefs in the industry.

• Career happiness: A study shows that Chefs in general rate their career happiness at only 2.9 out of 5 stars, which is lower than that of similar culinary careers. (Source)
• Salary satisfaction: On average, Chefs rate their satisfaction with their salaries 2.5 out of 5 stars, showing that many are feeling underpaid for their work. 
• Personality fit: Chefs generally find their personalities well-suited to the demands of the job, with a rating of 3.8 out of 5. 
• Work environment: Chefs rate their enjoyment of their work environment at 3.2 out of 5, suggesting a generally neutral sentiment.

What's Cooking? Key Trends in the Culinary Industry

Chefs and the broader culinary industry are continuously adapting to shifting consumer demands and global influences.

• There has been a 62% growth in plant-based food in U.S. restaurants over the last 10 years. These options are now found in 48.4% of restaurants across the country. (Source)
• Flavor over fuss is another significant trend, with diners seeking authentic and flavorful food prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients rather than overly complicated presentations. (Source)
• The ethnic or multicultural food market is projected to reach approximately $46.73 billion by 2032. This shows a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.22%. (Source)
• 90% of diners prefer restaurants with strong sustainable practices and are willing to pay an average of 9% more for a planet-friendly dining experience.
• There’s also a growing recognition of the potential of AI in the kitchen to enhance efficiency and even inspire creativity. In fact, the global AI kitchen market is expected to reach $20.82 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 48.3%. (Source)

See also: Top 10 Restaurant Industry Trends for 2025

Conclusion

The Chef statistics for 2025 that we’ve discussed all show how the profession is evolving with growing demand and new challenges. While job opportunities are expanding, salary satisfaction and demanding work conditions remain concerns. 

Trends like plant-based dining, global cuisine and sustainability are reshaping the industry, requiring Chefs to adapt. AI is also making its way into kitchens, offering new tools for efficiency and creativity. As the industry shifts, Chefs must navigate both career growth and the changing demands of their field.