10 of the Most Popular Types of Culinary Chef Jobs in 2026

See what kind of roles similar to Culinary Chef jobs are hiring now

Top Types Of Culinary Chef Jobs

• Chef

  Salary range: $35,000 - $64,500

  A chef is a highly trained culinary professional who works as the chief cook in the kitchen of a restaurant. Many chefs earn a culinary degree and are formally trained by another accomplished chef, making them very skilled and competent in their craft. A chef spends a majority of their time in the kitchen cooking and directing other food preparers on the best ways to put together dishes, including appropriate garnish and presentation. Chefs are creative professionals, and are often involved in planning and making menus for the restaurant. Because chefs work as the head cooks in the kitchen, they are the supervisors of the other kitchen workers. In addition to overseeing food preparation, chefs coach and develop the other kitchen staff and help them grow and improve their skills. They are responsible for managing the logistics of the kitchen operations. They order necessary supplies, provide cost estimates to their employer, and monitor staff requirements and schedules.

• Corporate Executive Chef

  Salary range: $79,500 - $118,000

  A corporate executive chef manages a kitchen, performing duties from menu creation to supply management. Responsibilities may include hiring and training staff and other administrative tasks. Experience is essential, as many people in this career work their way up through the ranks. Postsecondary education is not necessary though you can advance in this career with an associate degree or by attending a professional culinary school. Certification by the American Culinary Federation is also desirable.

• Executive Chef

  Salary range: $71,500 - $98,500

  An executive chef is the head of the entire kitchen operation of a restaurant. Executive chefs manage inventory, budgeting, menu planning, training, plating, and all kitchen staff, from sous chefs to dishwashers. They ensure the high standard of food quality and that service runs smoothly and efficiently. Executive chefs are the highest level of level of management in the kitchen, and they are ultimately responsible for its success or failure.

• Regional Chef

  Salary range: $48,500 - $157,500

  A regional chef works for a franchise, corporate brand, or culinary institution that has several dining locations. As a regional chef, your duties are to oversee the operations across all the restaurants in your region. For example, a regional chef who works for a school food services provider assesses the current menu, develops a new one, and visits the schools to implement the changes, including training and advising the chefs and cooks on meal preparation and nutrition. In general, you help to source food, develop relationships with vendors, and monitor financial planning for your region. In this management role, your job also includes hiring, training, and guiding a team of chefs.

• Traveling Chef

  Salary range: $40,500 - $44,000

  As a traveling chef, your responsibilities depend on the type of work you do. Some traveling chefs accompany their clients whenever they travel to provide personal meal services for them. Other traveling chefs work on a freelance basis and supplement their desire to travel by working as a chef along their journeys. Some traveling chefs take work on cruises or other excursions. Traveling chefs may also provide cooking consulting for restaurants, helping them to develop menus and launch or grow an establishment.

• Sous Chef

  Salary range: $50,000 - $67,500

  A sous chef is the second-in-command in a restaurant kitchen. Sous means under in French, and it relates to the sous chef being in charge of the kitchen when the chef is not there or occupied. It’s a coveted position. Sous chefs manage the kitchen and train new staff. This position also allows for culinary creativity. Sous chefs manage food presentations, relay recipes and instructions from the head chef, and maintain an optimal level of efficiency of the staff. They apply their skills to the food, training new chefs on how to perfect a dish or recipe, and creating delicious meals for their customers.

• Cook

  Salary range: $28,000 - $37,500

  A Cook—also called a Chef—is ultimately responsible for preparing the food that is served in restaurants or other dining establishments. As the head of the kitchen, Cooks also supervise other work and oversee the kitchen to ensure it all runs smoothly. In some restaurants, Cooks are responsible for creating recipes and menus, planning events, ensuring that food and kitchen regulations are followed, and sticking to a restaurant budget. There are different levels of this position that you can earn, meaning that there can be a wide range to all the potential possibilities and responsibilities of a daily Cook. For example, there’s the Head Chef who runs the kitchen while the other Cooks are responsible for specific types of food.

• Corporate Chef

  Salary range: $79,500 - $118,000

  Corporate Chef is a common job search query. Most salaries for Corporate Chef jobs pay between $79,500 (25th percentile) and $118,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Corporate Chef job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Entry Level Chef

  Salary range: $35,000 - $64,500

  Entry Level Chef is a common job search query. Most salaries for Entry Level Chef jobs pay between $35,000 (25th percentile) and $64,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Entry Level Chef job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Private Chef

  Salary range: $52,500 - $120,000

  A private chef prepares meals for clients, usually in the client’s home kitchen. In addition to meal prep, a private chef cooks food and may plate the food as well. A private chef typically only works for one client, while a personal chef may take on many clients, according to the American Personal and Private Chef Association (APPCA). The type of food that a private chef cooks depends on the dietary needs and preferences of the client.