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

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

Top Types Of School Chef Jobs

• Culinary Instructor

  Salary range: $44,000 - $63,000

  As a culinary instructor, also called a chef instructor, you often teach in culinary arts programs where students train to work in professional kitchens. Your job duties as a culinary educator include preparing lesson plans and demonstrating cooking techniques. You supervise students as they practice their new skills and provide feedback on their execution. As a culinary instructor, you may teach general skills courses or specialized classes like butchery, sauces, or classes on regional cuisines. As students advance, you help cultivate professionalism in your students and help them prepare to work in the industry.

• 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.

• 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.

• Apprentice Chef

  Salary range: $36,000 - $50,000

  Apprentice Chef is a typical job search query Most salaries for Apprentice Chef jobs pay between $36,000 (25th percentile) and $50,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Apprentice Chef job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• 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.

• Culinary Student

  Salary range: $32,000 - $40,000

  Culinary Student is a typical job search query Most salaries for Culinary Student jobs pay between $32,000 (25th percentile) and $40,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Culinary Student job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• 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.

• 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.

• No Experience Chef

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

  No Experience Chef is a typical job search query Most salaries for No Experience Chef jobs pay between $35,000 (25th percentile) and $64,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for No Experience Chef job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• School Cafeteria Cook

  Salary range: $30,000 - $36,500

  School Cafeteria Cook is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for School Cafeteria Cook jobs pay between $30,000 (25th percentile) and $36,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for School Cafeteria Cook job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.