How to Become a Culinary Professional in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 126,620 culinary professionals earning a median $34,760 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most culinary professionals train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Texas.
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Texas employs approximately 126,620 culinary professionals according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $34,760 1. Nationally, culinary professional employment is projected to grow 14.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 250,700 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a culinary professional in Texas, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Culinary Professional Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Chefs and Head Cooks Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), chefs and head cooks wages in Texas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 43,140 | $38,506 | $38,220 | $29,004 | $49,631 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 40,440 | $35,896 | $35,037 | $24,980 | $43,468 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 16,310 | $39,398 | $39,789 | $29,207 | $49,827 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 13,420 | $36,201 | $35,367 | $22,752 | $44,208 |
| El Paso | 4,320 | $30,011 | $30,610 | $22,362 | $38,269 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 3,180 | $29,182 | $29,438 | $20,464 | $37,546 |
| Corpus Christi | 2,510 | $31,602 | $32,518 | $22,496 | $39,852 |
| Lubbock | 2,110 | $32,323 | $32,230 | $23,388 | $38,879 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | 1,780 | $29,910 | $29,680 | $21,240 | $37,757 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 1,730 | $32,365 | $33,228 | $22,582 | $41,367 |
| College Station-Bryan | 1,720 | $35,107 | $34,231 | $24,049 | $41,271 |
| Amarillo | 1,580 | $31,335 | $31,987 | $21,934 | $39,042 |
| Killeen-Temple | 1,580 | $32,040 | $32,399 | $23,073 | $39,742 |
| Waco | 1,430 | $32,205 | $33,037 | $22,593 | $40,580 |
| Tyler | 1,400 | $31,399 | $31,926 | $22,264 | $39,008 |
| Laredo | 1,270 | $29,137 | $28,933 | $20,480 | $37,137 |
| Longview | 1,120 | $31,313 | $32,370 | $23,256 | $39,649 |
| Midland | 1,070 | $37,720 | $36,932 | $24,166 | $48,281 |
| Odessa | 1,020 | $35,555 | $34,846 | $23,901 | $41,567 |
| Abilene | 950 | $32,516 | $32,619 | $22,844 | $39,827 |
| Texarkana | 770 | $30,931 | $31,547 | $22,356 | $39,235 |
| San Angelo | 620 | $31,361 | $31,956 | $22,611 | $39,766 |
| Sherman-Denison | 600 | $32,704 | $33,478 | $22,671 | $41,891 |
| Wichita Falls | 580 | $29,802 | $30,174 | $21,428 | $36,040 |
| Victoria | 370 | $29,502 | $29,801 | $20,966 | $36,077 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Texas): $34,760 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Culinary Professional in Texas
How to become a culinary professional in Texas? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for culinary professionals in Texas.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do culinary professionals earn in Texas? The median annual wage for culinary professionals in Texas is $34,760 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $23,330 and experienced professionals can earn $42,810 or more 1.
Top Metros for Culinary professionals in Texas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest culinary professional employment within Texas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 34,430 | $36,490 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 32,710 | $35,050 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 13,000 | $36,810 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 10,860 | $34,860 |
| El Paso | 3,550 | $28,990 |
How to Become a Culinary Professional in Texas
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Texas training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Texas that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to culinary professionals in Texas before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for culinary professionals in Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 126,620 culinary professionals 1. Nationally, culinary professional employment is projected to grow 14.9% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Texas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Texas.
How much do culinary professionals earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for culinary professionals in Texas is $34,760, which is $2,070 below the national median of $36,830 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
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/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| 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) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |