The culinary field offers different positions that you can take on — from entry-level to management. If you’re interested in investing your time and effort in a culinary career, you should know which positions pay the highest so you can aim for roles that align with your personal and professional goals.
Discover the 10 highest-paying culinary careers and see their salary averages, their respective responsibilities and the skills and qualifications to know which role’s a good fit for you.
We’ve also included a list of top culinary schools you can consider to further your culinary career, in case this is something you want to pursue.
Types of Highest-Paying Culinary Jobs
Before you start applying for any of the jobs below, keep in mind that the job requirements differ per role. Having a culinary career also doesn’t always mean you’ll be in the kitchen.
Below are some of the roles in the culinary world you can choose from that are in and out of the kitchen — but don’t worry, they’re all related to food!
1. Baker
- Average salary in the U.S.: $35,550 per year*
- Required education: High school diploma
- Required experience: Little to no experience
* But can go as high as $94,000 per year for higher-level Baker roles
Bakers prepare breads, pastries, cookies and more using ovens, mixers, proofers and slicers — all while ensuring high quality and freshness. To do this, they evaluate the quality of food products and ingredients and adjust the temperature controls of their equipment as needed.
They keep the kitchen area clean, maintain proper and sufficient inventory and ensure compliance with operations and sanitation guidelines.
This is a typical entry-level role that requires a high school diploma. To be a Baker, you need to have good coordination, attention to detail and critical thinking as you need to be able to work with others well, be concerned with the quality of your work and solve day-to-day problems as they go.
While the starting average salary may not seem high, it’s actually competitive for an entry-level role in the culinary industry. As Bakers gain experience, especially in specialized roles like R&D Bakers, they can earn up to $94,000 per year.
Apply for the best-paying Baker jobs today!
2. Pastry Chef
- Average salary in the U.S.: $54,995 per year
- Required education: Culinary school diploma or associate degree (preferred)
- Required experience: Two to four years of baking or pastry experience
Pastry Chefs prepare and decorate pastries, cakes and other desserts. They also help in or lead the creation of new dessert recipes. To be a Pastry Chef, you need to have a good understanding of baking techniques and specific pastry tools.
Both creativity and attention to detail go hand in hand for Pastry Chefs as they decide colors, designs, forms and more for their delicious creations.
Apply for the best-paying Pastry Chef jobs today!
3. Sous Chef
- Average salary in the U.S.: $56,013 per year
- Required education: High school diploma; culinary school diploma or associate degree (optional)
- Required experience: Three to five years of culinary experience (preferably in a supervisory role)
A Sous Chef acts as the right hand of the Head or Executive Chef. They coordinate and supervise kitchen operations, which include managing food preparation, planning menus and overseeing quality and consistency.
They also ensure all dishes meet presentation standards, assist with training staff and work directly with kitchen staff, vendors and sometimes customers.
Because of the high expectations for this role, Sous Chefs should have strong communication, leadership and problem-solving abilities. They need an in-depth understanding of food safety, cooking techniques and menu planning. Being a Sous Chef is often a stepping stone to becoming an Executive or Head Chef.
Apply for the best Sous Chef jobs today!
4. Sushi Chef
- Average salary in the U.S.: $58,909 per year
- Required education: High school diploma; formal training preferred
- Required experience: Two to five years of experience in sushi and/or Japanese cuisine
Sushi Chefs specialize in preparing sushi, sashimi and other Japanese dishes. They put an emphasis on traditional methods, ingredient freshness and precision. Sushi Chefs also manage fish preparation, rice cooking and plating and maintain high standards of cleanliness, freshness and quality.
Sushi Chefs need to pay sufficient attention to detail to handle delicate cuts and create artful presentations. Communication skills are also important for their interactions with customers, especially in open kitchen environments.
Most importantly, they should have a familiarity with Japanese cooking techniques and cultural knowledge to ensure the authenticity of the dishes they serve.
Apply for the best Sushi Chef jobs today!
5. Food Stylist
- Average salary in the U.S.: $67,748 per year
- Required education: High school diploma; culinary or related degree preferred
- Required experience: One to three years in food styling, food photography and/or culinary arts
Food Stylists work behind the scenes to make dishes look appealing for photography or video shoots, arranging and styling food to showcase textures, colors and details.
They collaborate with Photographers, Chefs and Art Directors to create visually appealing presentations using tools like tweezers, brushes and spray bottles.
Food Stylists need to be creative and patient. They should have some knowledge of culinary techniques and a keen eye for detail. Food Stylists should know how to improvise when handling different kinds of shoots.
6. Executive Chef
- Average salary in the U.S.: $80,040 per year
- Required education: Culinary school diploma or bachelor’s degree in culinary arts (strongly preferred)
- Required experience: 5+ years in the kitchen, with leadership experience
Executive Chefs manage kitchen operations, including menu development, recipe testing and food preparation. They check for quality, consistency, food safety and presentation.
They are also in charge of hiring, training and supervising kitchen staff, setting the tone for the kitchen’s culture and high culinary standards. They can also be tasked with balancing budgets and managing vendor relationships.
Leadership and communication skills, financial acumen, creativity and attention to detail are just some of the many skills that Executive Chefs should have to do a good job.
The role also requires a deep understanding of various cuisines, techniques and ingredients, as this is a top position in the kitchen hierarchy, and many Executive Chefs have years of experience in various kitchen roles.
Apply for the best Executive Chef jobs today.
7. Restaurant Consultant
- Average salary in the U.S.: $81,376 per year
- Required education: Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, business or culinary arts preferred
- Required experience: 5+ years in the restaurant industry, often with management experience
Restaurant Consultants advise restaurants on various aspects like operations, financial management, store design, marketing and customer service strategies. They analyze business performance, conduct market research and develop solutions to improve profitability and customer satisfaction.
Although a Restaurant Consultant’s job may have a broad scope in terms of the restaurant’s aspects, some have a more distinct focus.
An example of this would be the Culinary Consultant: a particular type of Restaurant Consultant who specializes in recipe and menu development, kitchen layout, food presentation and ingredient sourcing.
Regardless of their scope of work, it’s important for Restaurant Consultants to have analytical skills, business acumen and a good deep understanding of industry trends.
The Restaurant Consultant role also demands flexibility and communication skills to work with various restaurant types and adapt to different needs.
Apply for the best Restaurant Consultant jobs today!
8. Private Chef
- Average salary in the U.S.: $85,447 per year
- Required education: Culinary school diploma or relevant certification (preferred)
- Required experience: 3+ years in professional kitchens or as a Private/Personal Chef
Private Chefs, or sometimes called Personal Chefs, prepare customized meals for clients and often cater to specific dietary needs and preferences.
They handle all aspects of food preparation for their client, including meal planning, shopping, cooking and cleaning up. Private Chefs may also travel with clients and cook at multiple locations.
Private Chefs need to have flexibility, creativity and time management as the needs of their clients may vary.
Apply for the best Private Chef jobs today!
9. Restaurant Manager
- Average salary in the U.S.: $69,580 per year
- Required education: High school diploma; hospitality degree preferred
- Required experience: Three to five years in a food service supervisory role, restaurant management or hospitality
Although not strictly considered a culinary career, the role of a Restaurant Manager is certainly closely connected to the culinary field.
After all, Restaurant Managers oversee all aspects of daily operations. Their job involves not only managing staff, inventory and finances but also monitoring food quality and safety in order to ensure excellent customer service.
That said, aside from the front-of-house staff, Restaurant Managers also work with the culinary team to maintain smooth operations.
There are even instances where Restaurant Managers with some culinary experience find it easier to coordinate with Chefs, given their sufficient understanding of culinary principles.
Apply for the best Restaurant Manager jobs today!
10. Director of Restaurant Operations
- Average salary in the U.S.: $102,697 per year
- Required education: Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, business, culinary arts or management (usually required)
- Required experience: 7–10 years in restaurant management or operations leadership
Like with Restaurant Managers, some might say Directors of Restaurant Operations don’t fall under the “culinary careers” category (unless they hold a more specific title like Culinary Operations Director).
Still, we believe they’re worth adding to this list since they have one of the highest-paying and -ranking roles in the culinary and overall hospitality industry.
Directors of Restaurant Operations usually oversee multiple store locations, managing budgets, staffing and operational standards to ensure profitability and brand consistency. They also analyze performance metrics, implement corporate strategies and lead teams to drive growth and efficiency.
This role demands adaptability, communication and a focus on customer experience as they work with regional teams to meet company goals. Leadership, strategic planning and financial management skills are required — not preferred — along with experience in both kitchen and front-of-house operations.
Apply for the best Director of Restaurant Operations jobs today!
How We Picked The 10 Highest-Paying Culinary Careers
We selected the high-paying jobs above to provide you with options at varying experience levels so you can either choose your next role or plan your end goal. The salaries for all positions are based on our salary estimate methodology. which takes into consideration market trends, government insights and more.
Top Culinary Schools in the US
Experience is crucial in any culinary role. Education is just an add-on. However, having a culinary degree offers more structured, condensed and expert-taught training that can take you years to experience working in different kinds of restaurants.
Check out the top culinary schools offering the best culinary arts degree programs below, as per Niche.
| Institution | Programs Offered | Location | Website |
| Escoffier School of Culinary Arts | • Associate of Occupational Studies Degree in Baking and Pastry • Associate of Occupational Studies Degree in Culinary Arts • Diploma in Culinary Arts • Diploma in Pastry Arts • Diploma in Plant-Based Cuisine | Austin, TX and Boulder, CO • Offers both on-campus and online programs | https://www.escoffier.edu/ |
| Culinary Institute Lenôtre | • Culinary Arts and Food Service • Baking and Pastry Arts • Restaurant and Food Services Management | Houston, TX • Offers hybrid programs | https://culinaryinstitute.edu/ |
| Walnut Hill College | • Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts • Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts • Associate’s Degree in Pastry Arts • Bachelor’s Degree in Pastry Arts | Philadelphia, PA • Offers on-campus programs only | https://walnuthillcollege.edu/ |
| Johnson & Wales University | • Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts • Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts • Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management • Associate’s Degree in Pastry Arts • Bachelor’s Degree in Pastry Arts • Bachelor’s Degree in Baking and Pastry Arts and Food Service Management • Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Nutrition • Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Science and Product Development • Minor in Culinary Sustainability •Minor in Food Studies • Bachelor’s Degree in Food & Beverage Entrepreneurship •Bachelor’s Degree in Food & Beverage Industry Management | Providence, RI (main campus) • Offers both on-campus and online programs | https://www.jwu.edu/ |
| University of Central Florida | •Associate’s Degree in Restaurant and Food Service Management • Bachelor’s Degree in Restaurant and Food Service Management • Bachelor’s Degree in Lodging and Restaurant Management | Orlando, FL • Offers both on-campus and online programs | https://www.ucf.edu/ |
Hear from a Culinary Professional
We asked Chef and Host of “The National Restaurant Owners Podcast” Kyle Inserra whether culinary school is necessary to thrive in the culinary industry. Here’s what he has to say:
Check out our full interview with Kyle Inserra.
Get Top-Paying Culinary Careers With OysterLink
OysterLink collects the highest-paying hospitality jobs so you can get only the best opportunities and apply to them with ease. We also offer interview and hiring guides, career advice and interviews with culinary professionals. Below are just some examples:
FAQs About the Highest-Paying Culinary Jobs
If you have a culinary degree, it’d be much easier for you to be a Pastry Chef, Executive Chef or Private Chef, earning $54,995, $80,040 and $85,447, respectively. These positions require a higher level of both experience and skill — two things you can help hone with a culinary degree.
However, as mentioned, some employers don’t always require a culinary degree for these roles as they tend to focus more on one’s experience.
Look up the average salaries for your culinary role online. Now, take into consideration your experience, skillset and other qualities, such as leadership, that make you more qualified for the raise.
It’s easier to prove your point when you know what you’re talking about. Be professional, confident, open and flexible when it comes to negotiating your salary.
Japanese-born Chef Alan Wong is the richest Chef in the world, having a net worth of more than $1 billion.
Some of the highest-paying culinary jobs are Executive Chef, Private Chef and Director of Restaurant Operations, earning an average of $80,040, $85,447 and $102,697 per year, respectively.
