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Job outlook for chef/owners in the United States
Chef/owner job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected chef/owner job growth rate is 15% from 2018-2028.
About 23,600 new jobs for chef/owners are projected over the next decade.
Chef/owner salaries have increased 24% for chef/owners in the last 5 years.
There are over 92,866 chef/owners currently employed in the United States.
There are 64,183 active chef/owner job openings in the US.
The average chef/owner salary is $45,199.
Are chef/owner jobs in demand?
Chef/owner job and salary trends over time
Chef/owner jobs over time
Chef/owner job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 92,866 | 0.03% |
| 2020 | 72,606 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 91,707 | 0.03% |
| 2018 | 92,001 | 0.03% |
| 2017 | 94,025 | 0.03% |
Average chef/owner salary over time
Chef/owner salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $45,199 | $21.73 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $43,633 | $20.98 | +6.3% |
| 2023 | $41,033 | $19.73 | +5.5% |
| 2022 | $38,908 | $18.71 | +6.4% |
| 2021 | $36,563 | $17.58 | +4.0% |
Chef/owner jobs by state
Most common states for chef/owners
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | 961,939 | 203 | 21% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 104 | 15% |
| 3 | New York | 19,849,399 | 2,435 | 12% |
| 4 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 872 | 12% |
| 5 | California | 39,536,653 | 3,835 | 10% |
| 6 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 305 | 10% |
| 7 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 102 | 10% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 63 | 9% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 465 | 8% |
| 10 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 1,258 | 6% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 76 | 6% |
| 12 | Vermont | 623,657 | 37 | 6% |
| 13 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 348 | 5% |
| 14 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 169 | 5% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 55 | 5% |
| 16 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 58 | 4% |
| 17 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 238 | 3% |
| 18 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 16 | 3% |
| 19 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 169 | 2% |
| 20 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 155 | 2% |
Chef/Owner job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of chef/owner experts
PattiCakes Bakery and Stoby's Restaurant
University of New Mexico - Taos
What general advice would you give to a Chef/Owner?
Patti Stobaugh: Being humble and willing to learn will take you far in your career, not just in the beginning. If you have the desire to open your own food service business, go to work for a business that has a great reputation. That will give you the opportunity to learn so much.
Karla Nardi
Program CoordinatorUniversity of New Mexico - Taos
Department of Culinary Arts
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Chef/Owner job market given the pandemic?
Karla Nardi: Of course, the latest trends are to amp up the take out and delivery mode for restaurants in the current situation. Ordering on-line is great for both customers and restaurants. Restaurant operations that do not have a take out or delivery mode (or both ) will find it challenging to stay in business with the limited number of tables they are allowed. Take out containers, therefore, will become an important statement.
I think more thought will be put into boxes so that the food quality does not deteriorate. Dressing up the take out containers will serve as an advertising tool, as well. Outdoor dining has been incredibly helpful but will not help during the colder months. Paying more attention to outdoor seating areas, I believe, will continue even after the pandemic passes.
Another area that we could see an increase in demand is the field of Personal Chefs. As families struggle with rearranging their time, having a personal chef do the shopping, and cooking could become very attractive.