What was the median annual wage for chefs and head cooks?
Answerabout $62,470
That works out to roughly $30 an hour for a typical chef or head cook.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025) bls.gov
Food · Facts & sources
Chef facts & stats
4 sourced facts about chefs and the culinary profession, each with the context behind the number. 4 more are in today's round and appear here after it closes.
The basics
Going deeper
In what year was the Michelin Guide, the famous restaurant rating system, first published?
Answer1900
It was originally created by a French tire company to encourage motorists to drive, and wear out tires, more.
Source: Michelin Guide history (via Wikipedia) (2020) en.wikipedia.org
How long is the required paid internship for students at the Culinary Institute of America?
Answer18 weeks
Students must also make at least 51% of their culinary product from scratch during training.
Source: Culinary school research (via Wikipedia) (2020) en.wikipedia.org
Expert level
About how many Michelin-starred restaurants does the U.S. have as of 2025?
Answerabout 280
That total includes one-, two-, and three-star restaurants across the regions Michelin currently reviews in the U.S.
Source: Michelin Guide (via Wikipedia) (2025) en.wikipedia.org
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