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Culinary Arts Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Culinary Arts Instructor

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$60K - $69K/yr

The Culinary Arts Instructor performs as an instructor in a regular classroom setting, presenting instructions in designated subject area. * Promotes a positive and desirable atmosphere within the ...

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Culinary Arts Instructor information

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$16K

$66.5K

$219K

How much do culinary arts instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for culinary arts instructor in the United States is $66,503.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,500.00 and $64,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a culinary arts instructor?

To thrive as a Culinary Arts Instructor, you need advanced culinary expertise, teaching skills, and typically a degree or certification from a recognized culinary institution. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, food safety standards (like ServSafe certification), and curriculum development tools is essential. Strong communication, patience, and leadership abilities help engage students and foster a positive learning environment. These skills ensure effective teaching, student success, and adherence to industry standards in culinary education.

What is the difference between Culinary Arts Instructor vs Pastry Chef?

AspectCulinary Arts InstructorPastry Chef
CredentialsCooking certifications, culinary degreesPastry-specific training, culinary degrees
Work EnvironmentEducational settings, culinary schoolsRestaurants, bakeries, hotels
Industry UsageTeaching, curriculum developmentFood preparation, menu creation

The Culinary Arts Instructor primarily focuses on teaching culinary skills in educational settings, often requiring teaching credentials and culinary degrees. In contrast, a Pastry Chef specializes in creating baked goods and desserts in professional kitchens. While both roles require culinary expertise, their work environments and daily responsibilities differ significantly, with instructors emphasizing education and pastry chefs focusing on food production and creativity.

What are some of the main challenges culinary arts instructors face when teaching students with varying skill levels?

Culinary Arts Instructors often work with students who have diverse backgrounds and varying levels of kitchen experience. One of the main challenges is creating lesson plans that are engaging and accessible for beginners, while still providing depth and advanced techniques for more experienced students. Balancing hands-on practice with theoretical knowledge, fostering teamwork in the kitchen, and ensuring safety and sanitation standards are consistently upheld also require careful attention. Instructors must adapt their teaching methods and offer individualized feedback to help every student succeed.

What is a culinary arts instructor?

Culinary Arts Instructors are professionals who teach students the techniques and principles of cooking, baking, and food preparation. They work in culinary schools, community colleges, or vocational programs, guiding students through hands-on practice and classroom instruction. In addition to teaching cooking skills, they may also cover topics such as food safety, nutrition, and kitchen management. Culinary Arts Instructors often draw on their own professional experience in the culinary industry to prepare students for a range of food service careers.
More about Culinary Arts Instructor jobs
What cities are hiring for Culinary Arts Instructor jobs? Cities with the most Culinary Arts Instructor job openings:
What states have the most Culinary Arts Instructor jobs? States with the most job openings for Culinary Arts Instructor jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Culinary Arts Instructor jobs? For Culinary Arts Instructor jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Culinary Arts Instructor job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,503 per year, or $32 per hour.

$56K - $103K/yr

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Posted 2 days ago

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Job description

SouthWest Metro Intermediate District #288 has a full-time opening for a part-time Culinary Arts Instructor (.5 FTE) in the Career and Technical Education department at our Dean Lakes Education Center in Shakopee, MN
SouthWest Metro serves students in 11 member districts and 8 associate member districts across the southwestern Twin Cities metropolitan area with programs in Special Education, Career and Technical Education, Care & Treatment, Adult Education, and Alternative Education.ย We invite you to embrace your own value, potential, and ability at SouthWest Metro, while empowering others to discover theirs. We work to empower ALL learners to realize their self-worth through personalized educational instruction, connection to resources, and access to a supportive learning environment.
Description:
Culinary Arts Instructor, 4 hours a day (.5 FTE) for 185 Contract Days.ย 




SouthWest Metro Intermediate District 288 is seeking a collaborative and student-centered Culinary Arts Instructor to provide hands-on culinary instruction for secondary students. This position introduces students to foundational culinary concepts, workplace expectations, food preparation, sanitation, and kitchen safety while helping prepare them for continued culinary programming. Scheduled time includes direct student instruction, lesson preparation, curriculum collaboration, purchasing, inventory, kitchen setup, stocking, travel, documentation, and program coordination.
Job Summary:
The Culinary Arts Instructor will work closely with the district's Lead Chef to coordinate curriculum, instructional activities, kitchen operations, purchasing, and program supplies. The position includes daily instructional preparation, food and equipment purchasing, stocking and organizing kitchen spaces, and travel to a partner site to teach. This is a great opportunity for an experienced culinary, food-service, or hospitality professional looking to bring their industry expertise into the classroom prior teaching experience is not required, and the district supports candidates who are new to education in working toward licensure.
Minimum Qualifications:




  • Education, training, or professional experience in culinary arts, food service, hospitality, Family and Consumer Sciences, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with secondary students.
  • Knowledge of food preparation, sanitation, kitchen safety, and proper food-storage practices.
  • Ability to independently organize purchasing, preparation, inventory, and instructional responsibilities.
  • Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for daily travel between instructional locations.
  • Successful completion of a district background check is required for employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Valid Minnesota teaching license in an appropriate field, or eligibility and willingness to obtain the license or permission required for the assignment.
  • Professional culinary, restaurant, catering, hospitality, or food-service experience this role is a strong fit for industry professionals interested in transitioning into the classroom through Career and Technical Education (CTE).
  • Experience teaching culinary arts, career and technical education, youth enrichment, or secondary students.
  • Experience working with students from alternative learning, special education, transition, or diverse educational backgrounds.
  • Food-safety certification, such as ServSafe, or willingness to obtain certification.
  • Experience developing curriculum and collaborating within a multi-instructor culinary program.
  • Knowledge of career pathways, work-based learning, and industry-recognized culinary competencies.

Pay & Benefits:ย 
The pay range is $56,000-103,000 based on education and experience. Available benefits:

  • 403(b)
  • TRA (Pension Plan)
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Working Conditions:

  • Work is performed in classroom, instructional kitchen, storage, and partner-site environments.
  • Regular standing, walking, bending, reaching, and active supervision of students are required.
  • Ability to safely lift, move, and carry food, equipment, and supplies weighing up to 30 pounds.
  • Regular exposure to commercial kitchen equipment, heat, refrigeration, food products, cleaning materials, and common food allergens.
  • Daily driving between instructional locations is required.

Application Procedure:
Apply Online at swmetro.k12.mn.us/employment_opportunities
Selection Procedure:
Applications will be reviewed beginning immediately until the position is filled. Those selected for interviews will be contacted.