20 Best Paying Culinary Jobs [Ranked by Pay]
You can get into the culinary industry in different ways. Having real-world experience is enough in some instances. At other times, however, getting formal training is either a plus or a must.
Needless to say, different culinary jobs have different salaries, which is why it’s a good idea to map out the career path of your liking before actually stepping foot into the world of food and hospitality — knowing your long-time career goal and desired lifetime earnings will enable you to determine the right steps to take today.
Some of the best paying culinary jobs are those that entail overseeing the daily operations of restaurants and kitchens, which the likes of the executive or head chefs are tasked with. The location or establishment also impacts the pay, which is why casino chefs and cooks tend to make more than others.
Planning on venturing into the culinary arts because you heard that chefs are paid well?
Then make sure that you don’t stop reading until the very end! Below, you will come across some of the best paying culinary jobs out there, thus allowing you to decide whether you should get your hands on as many food-related experiences as you can or earn the best culinary arts degree that you can afford to obtain.
Let’s start by checking out a table demonstrating 20 of the most highly paid culinary experts in the land:
POSITION | HOURLY SALARY | YEARLY SALARY |
Local or Specialty Cuisine Chef | $66 | $136,500 |
Regional Chef | $66 | $136,429 |
Casino Executive Pastry Chef | $52 | $107,865 |
Casino Executive Chef | $47 | $97,858 |
Head Chef | $35 | $73,200 |
Executive Chef | $35 | $73,174 |
Chef Boulanger | $34 | $70,200 |
Senior Baker | $34 | $70,190 |
Head Pastry Chef | $34 | $70,150 |
Executive Pastry Chef | $34 | $70,144 |
Casino Executive Chef Assistant | $33 | $69,109 |
Private Chef | $33 | $68,074 |
Casino Buffet Chef | $31 | $64,767 |
Head Sommelier | $29 | $60,400 |
Sommelier | $29 | $60,367 |
Banquet Chef | $28 | $57,400 |
Casino Banquet Chef | $28 | $57,332 |
Sous Pastry Chef | $27 | $56,400 |
Dining Room Chef | $27 | $56,200 |
Casino Room Chef | $27 | $56,135 |
Local or Specialty Cuisine Chef
- Median annual salary: $136,500
- Annual salary range: $89,694 to $176,237
- Median hourly salary: $66
- Hourly salary range: $43 to $85
Local or specialty cuisine chefs carry out other tasks than just creating new menu items for local restaurants. They are also tasked with training unit chefs, purchasing inventory items and reporting to top-level management. In many instances, local or specialty cuisine chefs may also input in various decision-making tasks that can impact operations.
Because the duties and responsibilities of local or specialty cuisine chefs are often complex and demanding, having a bachelor’s degree in the area of specialty is a requirement. And, more often than not, it’s a must for them to have over three years of managerial experience.
Regional Chef
- Median annual salary: $136,429
- Annual salary range: $89,573 to $176,232
- Median hourly salary: $66
- Hourly salary range: $43 to $85
Instead of simply coming up with new menu items for one establishment, it’s also a part of the duties and responsibilities of regional chefs to create menu items for various restaurants in the region, which is why they have such a job title. It goes without saying that they also supervise the training of chefs and purchasing of inventory items in all branches.
Planning on becoming a regional chef one day?
Then it’s important that you attend a respected culinary school today and earn an undergraduate degree related to the job. A bachelor’s or an associate degree will serve as the key to obtaining a prerequisite, which is having some managerial experience in the food and restaurant arena.
Casino Executive Pastry Chef
- Median annual salary: $107,865
- Annual salary range: $50,612 to $241,161
- Median hourly salary: $52
- Hourly salary range: $24 to $116
As the job title pretty much explains, casino executive pastry chefs oversee the daily operations of the pasty division of casino kitchens. Not only do they develop and prepare desserts and baked goods but also supervise subordinate staff members in the pastry function of casino kitchens.
Because of the industry they are in, it isn’t surprising why most employers prefer to hire casino pastry chefs with a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent. In many instances, applicants should have at least five years of experience in a related area as well as in managerial and supervisory positions in the food business.
Casino Executive Chef
- Median annual salary: $97,858
- Annual salary range: $63,256 to $154,443
- Median hourly salary: $47
- Hourly salary range: $30 to $74
Just about any operation taking place in casino kitchens is supervised by casino executive chefs. Some of the many tasks of casino executive chefs include developing and testing recipes and monitoring the satisfaction of casino customers. It’s also a must for them to make sure that food and facilities meet or surpass regulations.
Since casino executive chefs are first-line managers, having experience in a related area as an individual contributor for five years or more is required, which is essential for gaining extensive knowledge of the functions and processes of casino kitchens. Some employers may prefer casino executive chefs with prior experience in kitchen management.
Head Chef
- Median annual salary: $73,200
- Annual salary range: $52,567 to $102,430
- Median hourly salary: $35
- Hourly salary range: $25 to $49
Simply put, head chefs have absolute control over the running of the kitchen of an establishment. Some of their duties and responsibilities include developing menu items and purchasing supplies. Head chefs also have to make sure that the kitchens they are overseeing are meeting food sanitation regulations.
It’s because of this why head chefs must be knowledgeable with federal, state and local regulations on food sanitation. And since head chefs are practically first-line managers with the ability to make decisions and also report to top-level management, having a bachelor’s degree and years of managerial experience is preferred by employers.
Executive Chef
- Median annual salary: $73,174
- Annual salary range: $52,515 to $102,403
- Median hourly salary: $35
- Hourly salary range: $25 to $49
Initially, it may seem like head chefs and executive chefs are one and the same. However, executive chefs focus mainly on all sorts of managerial tasks in the kitchen. It’s exactly for this reason why it’s very unlikely that you will come across an executive chef that’s cooking, except when developing and testing new menu items.
Besides overseeing the day-to-day operations of kitchens, executive chefs are also responsible for training new staff members and making sure that the customers are satisfied.
Chef Boulanger
- Median annual salary: $70,200
- Annual salary range: $43,836 to $97,328
- Median hourly salary: $34
- Hourly salary range: $21 to $47
Bread, cakes and breakfast pastries are the specializations of chef boulangers. Other than introducing new items to the menu, they are also tasked with inventory and purchase of supplies as well as cost control. Food sanitation is also an arena that these culinary professionals have to be well-versed in.
Having full authority on staff members, chef boulangers are considered first-line managers, which is also why they are responsible for making sure that project and business goals are met. Having prior experience in a related area for at least five years is an advantage for those who dream of becoming chef boulangers.
Senior Baker
- Median annual salary: $70,190
- Annual salary range: $43,826 to $97,318
- Median hourly salary: $34
- Hourly salary range: $21 to $47
Various baking and pastry functions of the kitchen are for senior bakers to oversee. Definitely, they are tasked with coming up with recipes and determining which ones would be added as menu items.
Having years of experience as a baker in the industry is a requirement and, in many instances, a culinary arts degree in a related field is a plus. In some instances, employers prefer senior baker applicants with previous managerial and supervisory experience since many of their tasks align with those of first-line managers.
Head Pastry Chef
- Median annual salary: $70,150
- Annual salary range: $43,748 to $97,221
- Median hourly salary: $34
- Hourly salary range: $21 to $47
Just about any top pastry-related roles and functions are carried out by head pastry chefs, from the development of new menu items, purchasing and inventory of baking supplies to making sure that the day-to-day kitchen operations meet approved budget limits. So, in other words, head pastry chefs are first-line managers, too.
This is why the majority of well-paid and accomplished head pastry chefs have a bachelor’s degree or something related to it. Having one is a plus, especially since head pastry chefs not only supervise staff members but also communicate with other executive chefs as well as top-level managers.
Executive Pastry Chef
- Median annual salary: $70,144
- Annual salary range: $43,743 to $97,220
- Median hourly salary: $34
- Hourly salary range: $21 to $47
The majority of executive pastry chefs work in high-end restaurants, hotels or casinos. Simply put, they are tasked with creating, developing and testing new pastry recipes. Executive pastry chefs also introduce new baking techniques into the kitchen. Purchasing supplies and maintaining equipment are their other roles.
Needless to say, executive pastry chefs are also responsible for not only hiring but also training and supervising lower-level pastry chefs. While most executive pastry chefs went to culinary arts schools, some of them simply obtained real-world experience and worked their way up to an executive-level position.
Casino Executive Chef Assistant
- Median annual salary: $69,109
- Annual salary range: $43,653 to $113,550
- Median hourly salary: $33
- Hourly salary range: $21 to $55
As the job title suggests, casino executive chef assistants provide a lending hand to executive chefs in the operations of casino kitchens. But other than just being assistants, they also partake in the development and testing of new menu items as well as making sure that the needs and preferences of casino customers are met.
Commonly, casino executive chef assistants serve as some sort of supervisor during high production situations. On the other hand, most of them have the ability to make decisions within a small group.
Private Chef
- Median annual salary: $68,074
- Annual salary range: $48,855 to $95,265
- Median hourly salary: $33
- Hourly salary range: $23 to $46
Many of those who wish to enter the world of food and restaurants have no idea of the difference between private chefs and personal chefs. In a nutshell, personal chefs are mostly self-employed individuals. This means that it’s not unlikely for them to own and manage their own culinary businesses.
On the other hand, private chefs are usually employed full-time. They are employed by their clients to carry out the typical roles of a chef, albeit in varying environments such as homes, yachts and hotel rooms. It’s also not unlikely for private chefs to go wherever their clients go. Needless to say, there are opportunities for them to travel.
Casino Buffet Chef
- Median annual salary: $64,767
- Annual salary range: $42,303 to $84,795
- Median hourly salary: $31
- Hourly salary range: $20 to $41
Casino buffet chefs have a lot on their plate — no pun intended. They are tasked with preparing and cooking food as well as presenting them in a way that is consistent with the establishment and compliant with the requirements of the customers. It’s also their job to keep the buffet area clean and presentable.
Attending a culinary arts school, in many instances, is not required for casino buffet chefs. But since they will have to work under moderate to very little supervision, it’s an advantage for casino buffet chef applicants to have a resume that states prior experience in a related line of work.
Head Sommelier
- Median annual salary: $60,400
- Annual salary range: $33,845 to $87,146
- Median hourly salary: $29
- Hourly salary range: $16 to $42
Simply put, head sommeliers manage the purchasing, preparing and servicing of wine and various related beverages in a food and hospitality service unit. It goes without saying that it’s a must for head sommeliers to have extensive knowledge of wines, including the different types and regions as well as the unique characteristics of each one.
It’s also important for head sommeliers to possess the knowledge and skills necessary for coaching subordinate sommeliers and other staff members below them. They need to be sociable and able to communicate well, too, since they will also recommend and serve wines to the customers.
Sommelier
- Median annual salary: $60,367
- Annual salary range: $33,705 to $87,009
- Median hourly salary: $29
- Hourly salary range: $16 to $42
The majority of the day-to-day activities necessary for the maintenance and promotion of an establishment’s wine collection are placed in the hands of sommeliers. They include making sure that the wine cellar is in tip-top shape, thus keeping the contents in optimal condition. Sommeliers also partake in deciding which wines to procure.
Having good communication skills is important for those who wish to work as sommeliers. That’s because they will have to work with the kitchen staff in order to develop food and wine pairings. What’s more, sommeliers will also have to recommend wine and related beverages to the customers and serve them, too.
Banquet Chef
- Median annual salary: $57,400
- Annual salary range: $41,352 to $104,970
- Median hourly salary: $28
- Hourly salary range: $20 to $50
Banquet chefs are responsible for organizing, controlling and directing a banquet kitchen, which is a type of kitchen where there are many different workstations. It’s because of this why banquet chefs are some of the busiest culinary professionals as they could be dealing with hundreds to thousands of people at a time.
Needless to say, banquet chefs have to be very good with careful planning. It’s also important for them to have attention to detail as they also have to maintain meal quality and food sanitation of each workstation in a banquet kitchen.
Casino Banquet Chef
- Median annual salary: $57,332
- Annual salary range: $41,258 to $104,858
- Median hourly salary: $28
- Hourly salary range: $20 to $50
Casino banquet chefs are tasked with the same duties and responsibilities as banquet chefs elsewhere — it’s just that they are stationed at casino banquet kitchens, which can be extremely stressful and demanding, most especially during peak hours or seasons. And this is why they have to be able to plan and strategize very well.
It’s not uncommon for casinos to employ a wide variety of culinary professionals, which is why it’s very much likely for casino banquet chefs to have to communicate and work with chefs of varying types and levels. Definitely, to be hired as banquet chefs at casinos, applicants need to have prior experience in a very similar environment.
Sous Pastry Chef
- Median annual salary: $56,400
- Annual salary range: $43,982 to $103,015
- Median hourly salary: $27
- Hourly salary range: $21 to $50
Also sometimes referred to as pastry sous chefs or sub chefs, sous pastry chefs are commonly ranked just below the head chefs of kitchens. And as the job title suggests, they are tasked with making pastries and other related menu items.
It’s quite common for sous pastry chefs to be some of the busiest and authoritative people in the kitchen, in particular when the head chefs are absent. That’s because they are the ones that tend to take charge in the operations. And it’s due to this why sous pastry chef applicants need to have proficiency in various tasks relevant to the job.
Dining Room Chef
- Median annual salary: $56,200
- Annual salary range: $35,949 to $73,012
- Median hourly salary: $27
- Hourly salary range: $17 to $35
One look at the job title and it’s plain to see that dining room chefs are responsible for all food preparation and serving tasks in a dining setting or environment. In some instances, they come up with meals following a restaurant, hotel or any other establishment’s customary recipes. Other times, they cook meals based on customer requests.
In many instances, employers do not require dining room chef applicants to have a diploma or certificate from a culinary arts school, although having one can certainly make one’s resume appear more impressive.
Casino Room Chef
- Median annual salary: $56,135
- Annual salary range: $35,873 to $73,070
- Median hourly salary: $27
- Hourly salary range: $17 to $35
Casino room chefs have the same duties and responsibilities as dining room chefs, except they are working in a casino setting. This is why it’s not unlikely for them to have to communicate and work with various chef types and levels from time to time. Most of them also tend to report directly to managers and supervisors.
Having a high school diploma or an equivalent and real-world experience are the minimum requirements for casino room chefs. Possessing the necessary skills to be able to work independently within established procedures is a must.
Above, we talked about some of the best-paying culinary jobs in the country.
However, this is not the full list. The full list of food-related jobs is below.
150 Food-Related Jobs
- 1 Airline Chef
- 2 Anthropologist
- 3 Archivist
- 4 Arctic Chef
- 5 Artisanal Bread Baker
- 6 Association Manager
- 7 Banquets Chef
- 8 Bartender
- 9 Bed-and-Breakfast Owner
- 10 Bee Keeper
- 11 Beef Manti Maker
- 12 Biographer
- 13 Biotechnology Researcher
- 14 Blogger
- 15 Boutique Chef
- 16 Boutique Crop Farmer
- 17 Busboy
- 18 Butcher
- 19 Butler
- 20 Cake Designer
- 21 Caterer
- 22 Caviar Producer
- 23 Celebrity Chef
- 24 Cheese Connoisseur
- 25 Cheese Maker
- 26 Chef de Cuisine
- 27 Chef Instructor
- 28 Chewing Gum Taster
- 29 Chief Financial Officer
- 30 Citron Farmer
- 31 Coffee Shop Owner
- 32 Coffee Taster
- 33 College Dining Hall Chef
- 34 Columnist
- 35 Cookbook Author
- 36 Cookbook Collaborator
- 37 Cookbook Doctor
- 38 Cookbook Reviewer
- 39 Cooking Contest Judge
- 40 Cooking School Owner
- 41 Copyeditor
- 42 Corporate Dining Room Chef
- 43 Country Club or Lodge Chef
- 44 Cowboy
- 45 Cruise-Ship Chef
- 46 Cruise-Ship Lecturer
- 47 Culinary Bookseller
- 48 Culinary Librarian
- 49 Culinary School Teacher
- 50 Culinary Television Producer
- 51 Culinary Tour Guide
- 52 Cupcake Creator
- 53 Deli Owner
- 54 Designer/Art Director
- 55 Dietitian
- 56 Diner Owner
- 57 Dining Coach
- 58 Dishwasher
- 59 Editor
- 60 Egg Peeler
- 61 Entrepreneur
- 62 Ethicist
- 63 Event Planner
- 64 Executive Chef
- 65 Exhibition Curator
- 66 Fact Checker
- 67 Firehouse Chef
- 68 Fish Farmer
- 69 Flavor Maker
- 70 Food and Restaurant Critic
- 71 Food Cartoonist
- 72 Food Photographer
- 73 Food Radio Host
- 74 Food Retailer
- 75 Food Stylist
- 76 Food Writer
- 77 Fortune Cookie Message Writer
- 78 Futurist
- 79 Garbage Anthropologist
- 80 General Manager
- 81 Gift Basket Maker
- 82 Graphic Designer
- 83 Herb and Specialty Crop Farmer
- 84 Historian
- 85 Honey Producer
- 86 Hospital Chef
- 87 Hot Dog Vender
- 88 Humanitarian
- 89 Hydroponic Farmer
- 90 Ice Cream Taster
- 91 Ice Cream Namer
- 92 Indexer
- 93 Journalist
- 94 Kitchen Designer
- 95 Line Cook
- 96 Literary Agent
- 97 Maitre d’
- 98 Marketer
- 99 Master Chef
- 100 Media Trainer
- 101 Menu Designer
- 102 Military Chef
- 103 Mushroom Grower
- 104 Newsletter Producer
- 105 Nutritionist
- 106 Obesity Researcher
- 107 Olive oil Taster
- 108 Omelet Maker
- 109 Pastry Chef
- 110 Personal Chef
- 111 Pizza Chef
- 112 Pizza Deliverer
- 113 Prep Cook
- 114 Press Agent
- 115 Prison Chef
- 116 Private Plane Chef
- 117 Product Demonstrator
- 118 Product Developer
- 119 Product Promoter
- 120 Product Spokesperson
- 121 Proofreader
- 122 Prop Stylist
- 123 Psychologist
- 124 Publicist
- 125 Public School Kitchen Chef
- 126 Publisher
- 127 Rare Book Collector
- 128 Recipe Developer
- 129 Recipe Tester
- 130 Recipe Writer
- 131 Research Chef
- 132 Researcher
- 133 Restaurant Consultant
- 134 Restaurant Consultant
- 135 Restaurant Owner
- 136 Retail Shop Owner
- 137 Retirement Home Chef
- 138 Sandwich Shop Owner
- 139 Sausage Maker
- 140 Seed Scientist
- 141 Sommelier
- 142 Sous Chef
- 143 Spa Chef
- 144 Tea Shop Owner
- 145 Tea Taster
- 146 Vinegar Taster
- 147 Waitstaff
- 148 Wholesaler
- 149 Wild Game Farmer
- 150 YouTuber