Culinary and Hospitality Careers Face Shifting Salary Trends in 2025

The culinary and hospitality industries are undergoing significant changes, with wages on the rise and job opportunities expanding. This article examines the salary outlook for key positions in these sectors, highlighting projected growth and trends through 2034.

The culinary and hospitality sectors are undergoing a period of transformation, characterized by rising wages and expanding job opportunities. As the industry recovers from pandemic-induced disruptions, understanding salary trends is crucial for both employers and job seekers. This article examines the salary outlook for seven key positions across these industries, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and industry research.

Industry Overview

The culinary and hospitality landscape is showing promising momentum across major occupations. Current salaries for frontline roles such as bartenders, bakers, cooks, and supervisors range from approximately $33,000 to $42,000, whereas managerial positions such as chefs, food service managers, and lodging managers earn between $60,000 and $68,000. Employment growth is also encouraging, with restaurant cooks projected to experience the fastest growth at 15%, adding more than 200,000 jobs by 2034. Other positions, including chefs, food service managers, and bartenders, are expected to grow at a healthy rate of 6-7%.

Chefs and Head Cooks

Chefs and head cooks are projected to experience a 7% job growth over the next decade. The median salary for chefs is expected to rise from $60,990 in 2024 to $85,439 by 2034. The demand for innovative culinary skills, such as healthy cuisine and globally inspired menus, is creating opportunities for chefs with specialized expertise. The career path typically involves progression from line cook to sous-chef to head chef, with internal mobility providing opportunities for advancement.

Food Service Managers

Food service management positions are projected to grow by 6% through 2034. The role of a food service manager is evolving, requiring a blend of operational knowledge, people skills, and technological fluency. With a current median salary of $65,310, projected to increase to $91,028, competition for experienced managers is intensifying, thereby exerting upward wage pressure.

Lodging Managers

Lodging management is expected to grow by 3% over the next decade, reflecting a stable hotel management sector. The median salary is projected to increase from $68,130 in 2024 to $106,743 by 2034. Career progression in lodging often involves geographic mobility, with opportunities for advancement typically requiring relocation to different properties or markets.

Bartenders

Bartending offers an accessible entry point into the hospitality industry, with projected job growth of 6%. The median base pay is expected to rise from $33,530 to $67,226 by 2034. However, tips can significantly increase earnings, especially in busy establishments. The profession has evolved, with a focus on craft cocktails and specialty spirits, elevating bartending to a skilled craft.

Bakers

Baking occupations are projected to grow by 6% through 2034, with approximately 40,000 annual job openings. The median salary is expected to rise from $36,650 to $64,160. The artisan and specialty bakery segment is experiencing rapid growth, driven by consumer demand for innovative baked goods and the farm-to-table movement.

Restaurant Cooks

Restaurant cooks are among the largest and fastest-growing occupations, with a projected 15% employment growth. The median salary is expected to rise from $37,730 to $69,548 by 2034. The labor shortage has led to improved compensation and working conditions, with restaurants offering higher starting wages and better hours to attract cooks.

First-Line Supervisors of Food Prep and Serving Workers

First-line supervisors are projected to grow by 6%, with over 1.2 million currently employed. The median salary is expected to rise from $42,010 to $66,461 by 2034. These positions serve as a critical stepping stone to full management, with skills developed in this role translating directly to higher-level management positions.

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