Best Culinary & Pastry Schools in Astoria, Oregon (2026)

Best Culinary & Pastry Schools in Astoria, Oregon (2026)

The best culinary & pastry schools near Astoria, Oregon pair accredited training with a state median wage of about $63,600 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This guide ranks nearby schools by proximity and shows local labor-market context so you can compare program length, cost, and credentials.

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Key Facts

  • State median wage: $63,600/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
  • Projected growth: +7.1% (2024-2034), about 24,400 openings/yr (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034)
  • Oregon employment: 2,510 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
  • Oregon location quotient: 0.99 (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
  • Typical program length: 6-12 months (certificate) to 2 years (associate) (Source: IPEDS, 2023)
  • Distance origin: Schools sorted by miles from Astoria (Source: IPEDS, 2023)

Culinary & Pastry Schools near Astoria (2026)

Schools below are sorted by distance from Astoria, Oregon. Compare each program’s length, schedule, cost, and credential.

How We Rank Schools

We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%

Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

#2

Grays Harbor College

Aberdeen, WA 53.2 miles away BOC Score 71.6
Tuition $5,593 - $15,708
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 35.3%
  • Programs offered: 40
  • Annual completions: 242
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $46,936 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Clark College

Vancouver, WA 67.2 miles away BOC Score 63.1
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 37.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 36
  • Annual completions: 782
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $49,337 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

South Puget Sound Community College

Olympia, WA 71.0 miles away BOC Score 59.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 43.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 32
  • Annual completions: 436
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $50,185 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Culinary Worker Pay and Job Outlook

Annual Wage by Percentile - Chefs and Head Cooks
Chefs and Head Cooks annual wage percentiles, BLS OEWS May 2025 P10 $37900, P25 $48440, P50 $62470, P75 $78750, P90 $98560.10th $37,90025th $48,44050th (median) $62,47075th $78,75090th $98,560
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
Chefs and Head Cooks annual wage percentiles
PercentileAnnual wage
10th$37,900
25th$48,440
50th (median)$62,470
75th$78,750
90th$98,560
Projected employment growth, Chefs and Head Cooks, 2024-2034
Chefs and Head Cooks employment 2024 vs 2034 projection, BLS Employment Projections 2024 employment 197300; 2034 projected employment 211300; percent change +7.1%.2024 197,300 jobs2034 (proj.) 211,300 jobs Change: +7.1%
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
Chefs and Head Cooks employment projection 2024 to 2034
YearEmployment
2024197,300
2034 projected211,300
Percent change+7.1%

Culinary & Pastry Pay & Job Outlook

This occupation reported a Oregon median annual wage of about $63,600 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Figures reflect all workers in the occupation, not graduates of any single program.

Astoria Quick Facts

Metric Value Source
Oregon median annual wage $63,600 BLS OEWS, May 2025
Oregon pay range (10th to 90th percentile) $45,910 to $95,180 BLS OEWS, May 2025
National job outlook (2024-2034) +7.1% growth, about 24,400 openings/yr BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
Oregon employment 2,510 workers BLS OEWS, May 2025
Oregon location quotient 0.99 BLS OEWS, May 2025

How to become a culinary & pastry in Oregon

Becoming a culinary & pastry in Oregon generally follows these steps. Licensing and required hours vary by occupation and locality — confirm specifics with your state board before enrolling.

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most programs require a high school diploma or equivalent for admission.
  2. Enroll in an accredited program. Choose an accredited culinary & pastry program near you and complete the required coursework and hands-on or clinical hours.
  3. Complete supervised training or an apprenticeship. Many roles combine classroom instruction with supervised on-the-job or clinical hours. Confirm required hours with your state board.
  4. Earn certification or a state credential. Pass any required certification or licensing exam. Requirements vary in Oregon; verify with the state board or licensing authority.
  5. Apply for jobs and continue education. Use your credential to apply to local employers, and keep certifications current through continuing education.

Apprenticeships & Pathways

Some culinary & pastry roles can be entered through a registered apprenticeship or supervised hours that combine paid work with related instruction. Required hour totals differ by program and occupation; confirm exact totals with the sponsoring employer or the state board before committing.

What You’ll Study

A typical culinary & pastry program blends classroom theory with hands-on labs or supervised practice. Coursework usually covers safety, core technical skills, tools and equipment, and preparation for any required certification exam. Course lists vary by school — review each program’s catalog.

Choosing a School

Start with accreditation, then compare program length, schedule (day/evening/online), total cost, and whether the credential matches what local employers hire for. Use the proximity-sorted list above and the Astoria labor-market figures to weigh your options.


In Oregon

Next Steps

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does culinary & pastry training take near Astoria?

Culinary & Pastry certificate programs near Astoria typically take 6 to 12 months of full-time study, while associate degree programs generally run about 2 years. Many students also enter the field through a registered apprenticeship or supervised clinical hours. Actual completion time depends on schedule (full-time vs. part-time) and any prerequisite coursework. Confirm exact program lengths with each school.

How much do culinary & pastry workers earn in Oregon?

According to BLS OEWS (May 2025), this occupation earned a median annual wage of approximately $63,600 in Oregon. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer. The 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $45,910 to $95,180 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Do I need a license or certification in Oregon?

Requirements vary by role and employer. Many positions value industry certifications and supervised hours, and some occupations require a state license. Always confirm current requirements with your state board or licensing authority before enrolling.

How do I choose a culinary & pastry school near Astoria?

Start with accreditation, then compare program length, schedule, total cost, and whether the credential aligns with what local employers hire for. Use the proximity-sorted school list above to weigh nearby options against the local labor market figures on this page.


About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025
Employment Projections U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) 2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) U.S. Department of Education latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) U.S. Department of Education latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) latest release (updated 2025-10-25)