Cook/Baker Education Requirements And Courses

Cook/baker education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, cook/bakers don't need a college education. The most common degree for cook/bakers is high school diploma with 36% graduates, with only 31% cook/baker graduates earning associate degree. Cook/bakers who decided to graduate from college often finish Johnson & Wales University or University of Phoenix. Some good skills to have in this position include kitchen equipment, food service and patients.

Popular cook/baker certifications include Certified Food Manager (CFM), Food Safety Manager Certification, or ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification. To improve cook/baker qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in cook/baker education paths.

What education do you need to become a cook/baker?

What degree do you need to be a cook/baker?

The most common degree for cook/bakers is high school diploma, with 36% of cook/bakers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 31% and associate degree degree at 14%.

High School Diploma, 36%

Associate, 31%

Bachelor's, 14%

Diploma, 11%

Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a cook/baker?

You should major in culinary arts to become a cook/baker. 45% of cook/bakers major in culinary arts. Other common majors for a cook/baker include business and general studies.

Culinary Arts, 45%

Business, 11%

General Studies, 7%

Hospitality Management, 4%

Other Majors, 33%

Best majors for cook/bakers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Culinary Arts	44.7%
2	Business	11.1%
3	General Studies	7.4%
4	Hospitality Management	3.8%
5	Nursing	3.0%

Show more common cook/baker majors

20 best online courses for cook/bakers

Advertising disclosure

1. Cooking for Busy Healthy People

Cooking is one of the most powerful ways in which we can optimize our enjoyment of great quality food while protecting our health. Even on a tight budget, cooking can be a cost-effective, joyful and rewarding way to love the food that will love us back for a lifetime. In this course, you’ll learn some basic recipes from a home cook and two professional chefs who prioritize healthful eating. You’ll also learn some of the fundamentals of principle-based cooking that can help you break free from...

2. Fun food safety and sanitation course

4.6

(539)

The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...

3. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors

4.3

(489)

The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...

4. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

4.4

(976)

Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...

5. Cook Real Food: How to Make Simple Plant-Based Meals

4.6

(1,644)

Learn how to cook whole plant foods to make quick, easy, and healthy vegan meals for practical everyday eating...

6. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)

4.5

(2,583)

Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...

7. OSHA Safety Training: Conducting Safety Meetings

4.5

(958)

A Brief Safety Management Course for Current and Aspiring Safety Professionals...

8. Basic Fire Safety Awareness

4.3

(776)

Basic Fire Safety Awareness - Your Gateway towards Career in Fire Safety...

9. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment

4.5

(1,881)

Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...

10. Fundamentals of Logistics, Supply Chain & Customer Service

4.5

(3,822)

Learn Logistics, Supply Chain and Customer Service. 3 Courses in 1...

11. Fire Safety: Become A Fire Safety Expert

4.3

(484)

Become an expert in Fire Safety, Fire Hazards Control, Fire Evacuation Plans, and Fire Risk Assessment...

12. Complete Health and Safety Auditor Course. OHSAS 18001.

4.5

(2,235)

How to implement and audit a health & safety management system and obtain certification to OHSAS 18001 Standard...

13. OSHA Safety Pro: Deadly Concrete Dust. Crystalline Silica.

4.4

(478)

OSHA's General, Construction, and Maritime Industries Hazard Prevention and Safety Standard...

14. Occupational Health & Safety Training

4.4

(1,198)

Workplace Health and Safety Course For Employees & Managers...

15. OSHA Safety Training: Heat Stress Management

4.6

(465)

A Workplace Safety Management Course for Current and Future Safety Professionals...

16. OSHA Safety Pro: Trenching Excavation & Soil Mechanics

4.3

(727)

A quick yet detailed certification in OSHA safety with a focus on Trenching, Excavation, & Soil Mechanics...

17. Fire Safety and Prevention Planning

4.4

(1,467)

Become an expert in understanding Fire Safety and Prevention Planning for your workplaces and organizations...

18. ISO 45001. Occupational health & safety management system

4.6

(4,258)

Upgrate your health and safety career by understanding the requriements for an OH & S management system from ISO 45001...

19. NEBOSH health and safety Management System

4.3

(448)

It Shows the Start point to Build your Health & safety Career and how to Join the field and becoming HSE Specialist...

20. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer

4.7

(18,204)

Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...

Average cook/baker salary by education level

Cook/bakers with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $35,245 annually. With a Associate degree, cook/bakers earn a median annual income of $34,347 compared to $33,515 for cook/bakers with an High School Diploma degree.

Cook/baker education level	Cook/baker salary
High School Diploma or Less	$33,515
Bachelor's Degree	$35,245
No Education	$33,085
Some College/ Associate Degree	$34,347