Should you pick your degree based on future salary?

After graduation, culinary arts graduates typically earn high salaries compared to the national average. Top earners make $71,058, while the bottom 20% make closer to $22,529. The median grad salary is $40,011.

Culinary Arts graduate salaries over time

The typical early career salary for someone with a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts is $37,560, and within five years of graduation, this average salary goes up to $35,485.

This chart maps the average workforce wage by years of experience:

Wage ($USD)

Wage Range Median Wage

Years of work experience

Pro tip
Still unsure if a degree in culinary arts is your calling? Read our comprehensive guide on choosing a career

Overview

Discover what you’ll learn—and what you can do after you graduate.

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