Professional Cooking and Kitchen Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
This program equips learners with the foundational expertise needed to thrive in professional kitchen environments, focusing on efficient food production and operational excellence. Designed for aspiring culinary professionals, it emphasizes hands-on training in essential kitchen functions, preparing individuals for roles in commercial food service settings.
- Kitchen Organization and Operations: Learn how to structure and manage kitchen workflows to ensure efficiency, safety, and timely meal preparation across various service environments.
- Sanitation and Quality Control: Master industry-standard hygiene protocols and inspection procedures to maintain food safety, comply with health regulations, and uphold consistent product quality.
- Basic Food Preparation and Cooking Techniques: Develop core culinary skills including knife handling, ingredient preparation, and fundamental cooking methods used in professional kitchens.
- Kitchen Equipment Maintenance: Gain proficiency in the care, cleaning, and routine upkeep of commercial kitchen tools and appliances to ensure longevity and safe operation.
- Quantity Food Measurement and Monitoring: Understand precise scaling of ingredients, portion control, and inventory tracking to reduce waste and support cost-effective food production.
Professional Cooking and Kitchen Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Professional Cooking and Kitchen Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Professional Cooking and Kitchen Management degrees, including Cooks, Private Household, Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria and Cooks, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 472,750 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Private Household 35-2013 | $44,530 | $38,240 - $92,480 | 900 | $21.41 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria 35-2012 | $36,450 | $26,800 - $48,320 | 448,260 | $17.53 |
| Cooks, All Other 35-2019 | $36,210 | $26,430 - $49,600 | 23,590 | $17.41 |
Professional Cooking and Kitchen Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $25,830 in Mississippi to $56,710 in Massachusetts—a 120% difference. The highest-paying states include Massachusetts, Washington, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 472,750 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Professional Cooking and Kitchen Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 56 institutions offering Professional Cooking and Kitchen Management programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Professional Cooking and Kitchen Management is found at Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) (118 graduates), Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder (109 graduates), Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) (70 graduates), Elgin Community College (ECC) (45 graduates), and Savannah Technical College (36 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,052 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) |
Other Award
|
118 | Warner Robins, Georgia | Public | centralgatech.edu |
| Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
109 | Boulder, Colorado | Private | escoffier.edu |
| Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
70 | Kansas City, Kansas | Public | kckcc.edu |
| Elgin Community College (ECC) |
Other Award
|
45 | Elgin, Illinois | Public | elgin.edu |
| Savannah Technical College |
Other Award
|
36 | Savannah, Georgia | Public | savannahtech.edu |
| Wiregrass Georgia Technical College |
Other Award
|
36 | Valdosta, Georgia | Public | wiregrass.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Other Award
|
35 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) |
Other Award
|
34 | Waco, Georgia | Public | westgatech.edu |
| Joliet Junior College (JJC) |
Other Award
|
34 | Joliet, Illinois | Public | jjc.edu |
| Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) |
Other Award
|
33 | Griffin, Georgia | Public | sctech.edu |
| Atlanta Technical College (Atlanta Tech) |
Other Award
|
31 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | atlantatech.edu |
| Grayson College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
31 | Denison, Texas | Public | grayson.edu |
| Iowa Western Community College (IWCC) |
Other Award
|
30 | Council Bluffs, Iowa | Public | iwcc.edu |
| ECPI University (ECPI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
30 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | ecpi.edu |
| Gwinnett Technical College (Gwinnett Tech) |
Other Award
|
29 | Lawrenceville, Georgia | Public | gwinnetttech.edu |
| South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) |
Other Award
|
25 | Americus, Georgia | Public | southgatech.edu |
| Lanier Technical College (Lanier Tech) |
Other Award
|
24 | Gainesville, Georgia | Public | laniertech.edu |
| Uintah Basin Technical College (UBTech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
|
23 | Roosevelt, Utah | Public | ubtech.edu |
| North Georgia Technical College |
Other Award
|
22 | Clarkesville, Georgia | Public | northgatech.edu |
| Columbus Technical College (Columbus Tech) |
Other Award
|
19 | Columbus, Georgia | Public | columbustech.edu |
| Ogden-Weber Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
19 | Ogden, Utah | Public | otech.edu |
| Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
18 | Appleton, Wisconsin | Public | fvtc.edu |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) |
Other Award
|
16 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | matc.edu |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) |
Other Award
|
15 | Rome, Georgia | Public | gntc.edu |
| Johnson & Wales University (JWU) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | online.jwu.edu |
| Augusta Technical College (Augusta Tech) |
Other Award
|
13 | Augusta, Georgia | Public | augustatech.edu |
| Commonwealth Technical Institute (CTI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
13 | Johnstown, Pennsylvania | Private | dli.pa.gov |
| Hennepin Technical College (HTC) |
Other Award
|
12 | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Public | hennepintech.edu |
| Western Technology Center (WTC) |
Other Award
|
11 | Burns Flat, Oklahoma | Public | westtech.edu |
| Spartanburg Community College (SCC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Spartanburg, South Carolina | Public | sccsc.edu |
| Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
8 | Topeka, Kansas | Public | washburntech.edu |
| Jna Institute of Culinary Arts (JNA) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
8 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | culinaryarts.edu |
| Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
7 | Roswell, New Mexico | Public | roswell.enmu.edu |
| Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
7 | Fond du Lac, Wisconsin | Public | morainepark.edu |
| Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education (BPACE) |
Other Award
|
7 | Baldwin Park, California | Public | bpace.bpusd.net |
| North Central Kansas Technical College (NCK Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Beloit, Kansas | Public | ncktc.edu |
| Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Cleveland, Wisconsin | Public | gotoltc.edu |
| Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Public | wctc.edu |
| Kaskaskia College (KC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Centralia, Illinois | Public | kaskaskia.edu |
| Gateway Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Kenosha, Wisconsin | Public | gtc.edu |
| Northcentral Technical College (NTC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Wausau, Wisconsin | Public | ntc.edu |
| Ogeechee Technical College (OTC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Statesboro, Georgia | Public | ogeecheetech.edu |
| New Community Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Newark, New Jersey | Private | newcommunity.org |
| Massasoit Community College |
Other Award
|
3 | Brockton, Massachusetts | Public | massasoit.edu |
| West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Wheeling, West Virginia | Public | wvncc.edu |
| Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Belleville, Illinois | Public | swic.edu |
| Kishwaukee College (Kish) |
Other Award
|
2 | Malta, Illinois | Public | kish.edu |
| McHenry County College (MCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Crystal Lake, Illinois | Public | mchenry.edu |
| Sullivan University |
Other Award
|
2 | Louisville, Kentucky | Private | sullivan.edu |
| Erie Community College (SUNY Erie) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Buffalo, New York | Public | ecc.edu |
| Columbus State Community College (CSCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | cscc.edu |
| Pima Community College (PCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | pima.edu |
| City Colleges of Chicago (MXC) |
Residency
|
1 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | ccc.edu |
| Mercer County Community College (MCCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | West Windsor, New Jersey | Public | mccc.edu |
| Laramie County Community College (LCCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Cheyenne, Wyoming | Public | lccc.wy.edu |
| Athens Technical College (Athens Tech) |
Other Award
|
1 | Athens, Georgia | Public | athenstech.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Professional Cooking and Kitchen Management programs
How much can I earn with a Professional Cooking and Kitchen Management degree?
Salaries for Professional Cooking and Kitchen Management graduates vary by role and location. Cooks, Private Household earn a median of $44,530 annually, while Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earn around $36,450. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Massachusetts average $56,710 compared to $25,830 in Mississippi. Approximately 472,750 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Professional Cooking and Kitchen Management programs?
Currently 56 accredited institutions offer Professional Cooking and Kitchen Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) (118 graduates), Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder (109 graduates), and Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) (70 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Professional Cooking and Kitchen Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,305 in 2010 to 1,052 in 2023-24. This represents a 19% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Professional Cooking and Kitchen Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Cooks, Private Household, Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria, and Cooks, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 472,750 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Personal Services Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Personal Services field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Culinary Science
A program that focuses on the blending of food science and the culinary arts and that prepares individuals to work as research chefs...
Wine Steward and Sommelier
A program that prepares individuals to manage wine selection, purchasing, storage, sales, and service for a variety of establishments in the hospitality industry....
Culinary Arts
Any instructional program in culinary arts and related services not listed above.
Casino Dealer Training
A program of study that prepares individuals to apply technical skills and knowledge to become table games dealers in casinos or other recreational...
Culinary and Personal Services
Any instructional program in culinary, entertainment, and personal services not listed above.
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science
A program that generally prepares individuals for careers in the funeral service industry and for licensure as funeral service directors or morticians. Includes...