Culinary and Personal Services: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Programs in culinary and personal services prepare individuals for careers in creative, hands-on fields that blend practical skill development with professional service delivery. These interdisciplinary studies emphasize real-world application, innovation, and industry-specific expertise across food preparation, personal care, and entertainment support services.
- Culinary Arts and Food Preparation: Focuses on advanced cooking techniques, menu development, food safety standards, and the business aspects of restaurant and kitchen operations.
- Personal Care and Wellness Services: Covers specialized training in grooming, skincare, wellness therapies, and client-centered service in spa and beauty environments.
- Event and Entertainment Support: Involves coordination, logistics, and on-site management for live performances, private functions, and special events.
- Service Industry Management: Develops leadership, customer relations, and operational efficiency skills tailored to hospitality and personal service sectors.
- Food and Beverage Operations: Explores the technical and managerial components of beverage service, bar operations, and sustainable food service practices.
Culinary and Personal Services Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Culinary and Personal Services Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Culinary and Personal Services degrees, including Concierges. 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 44,200 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concierges 39-6012 | $37,320 | $30,770 - $58,050 | 44,200 | $17.94 |
Culinary and Personal Services Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $27,780 in Arkansas to $58,460 in New York—a 110% difference. The highest-paying states include New York, Hawaii, and Wyoming. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 44,200 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 Culinary and Personal Services by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 4 institutions offering Culinary and Personal Services 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 Culinary and Personal Services is found at Institute of Technology (FIT) (84 graduates), Canadian Valley Technology Center (CV Tech) (12 graduates), University of Cincinnati, Blue Ash College (3 graduates), and Georgia Career Institute (GCI) (2 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 101 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Institute of Technology (FIT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
84 | Clovis, California | Private | iot.edu |
| Canadian Valley Technology Center (CV Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
12 | El Reno, Oklahoma | Public | cvtech.edu |
| University of Cincinnati |
Associate's
|
3 | Blue Ash, Ohio | Public | ucblueash.edu |
| Georgia Career Institute (GCI) |
Other Award
|
2 | Conyers, Georgia | Private | gci.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Culinary and Personal Services programs
How much can I earn with a Culinary and Personal Services degree?
Salaries for Culinary and Personal Services graduates vary by role and location. Concierges earn a median of $37,320 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $58,460 compared to $27,780 in Arkansas. Approximately 44,200 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 Culinary and Personal Services programs?
Currently 4 accredited institutions offer Culinary and Personal Services degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Institute of Technology (FIT) (84 graduates), Canadian Valley Technology Center (CV Tech) (12 graduates), and University of Cincinnati, Blue Ash College (3 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 Culinary and Personal Services growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 924 in 2010 to a peak of 280 in 2020, before declining slightly to 101 in 2023-24. This represents a 89% 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 Culinary and Personal Services degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Concierges. Related occupations employ approximately 44,200 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.
Facial Treatment Specialist
A program that prepares individuals to massage and treat the face, neck, and scalp with chemical and cosmetic preparations, and to function as...
Aesthetician and Skin Care Specialist
A program that prepares individuals to cleanse, depilate, massage, and beautify the human body and to function as licensed estheticians and skin care...
Nail Technology and Manicuring
A program that prepares individuals to shape fingernails and toenails, remove unwanted skin and blemishes, apply polish and cosmetics to nails, and function...
Permanent Cosmetics and Makeup Tattooing
A program that prepares individuals to prepare and apply permanent markings, color, and cosmetic products to the face and body for aesthetic or...
Salon and Beauty Management
A program that prepares cosmetologists, hairstylists, and other personal grooming specialists to manage beauty parlors, shops, and full-service or specialized salons and to...
Cosmetology and Barber Styling Instructor
A program that prepares cosmetologists, barbers, stylists, nail technicians, and other grooming specialists to teach their specializations in licensed and accredited schools of...