Career Overview
Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.
Also Known As
- Chef
- Executive Chef (Ex Chef)
- Kitchen Manager
- Sous Chef
Alternate Job Titles
- Baker
- Banquet Chef
- Bread and Pastry Baker
- Cake Froster
- Cake Icer
- Cake Maker
- Cake Mixer
- Certified Executive Chef (CEC)
- Chef
- Chef de Cuisine
- Chef de Froid
- Chef Manager
- Chocolatier
- Confectioner
- Cook
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Monitor sanitation practices to ensure that employees follow standards and regulations.
- Instruct cooks or other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, or presentation of food.
- Supervise or coordinate activities of cooks or workers engaged in food preparation.
- Order or requisition food or other supplies needed to ensure efficient operation.
- Inspect supplies, equipment, or work areas to ensure conformance to established standards.
- Check the quantity and quality of received products.
- Check the quality of raw or cooked food products to ensure that standards are met.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Food Production
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Coordination
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Time Management
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Critical Thinking
- Service Orientation
- Active Listening
- Instructing
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Information Ordering
- Deductive Reasoning
- Speech Clarity
- Speech Recognition
- Inductive Reasoning
- Near Vision
- Written Comprehension
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Leadership Orientation
- Attention to Detail
- Stress Tolerance
- Innovation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Independence
- Recognition
- Achievement
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Google Sheets
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Apple corers
- Blast chillers
- Blenders
- Bone saws
- Boning knives
- Box graters
- Braziers
- Bread slicers
- Broilers
- Cake decorating tools
- Cappuccino makers
- Carbonated beverage dispensers
- Chefs' knives
- Commercial coffee grinders
- Commercial coffeemakers
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Time Pressure
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $36,000 |
| Median | $60,990 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $96,030 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 182,320
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Bakers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $36,650
Cooks, Restaurant
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $36,830
Cooks, Private Household
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $44,530
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $36,450
Food Service Managers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $65,310
Is This Career Right for You?
Discover your perfect career match with our free comprehensive assessment! Get personalized recommendations based on your interests, skills, and values.
Take the Free Career Assessment →
Want Personalized Guidance?
For customized career recommendations, college selection strategies, and expert application support, explore the MehtA+ Admissions Consulting Program. We help students identify the right opportunities and navigate the path to achieving their academic and career goals.
Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.