Chef Shortage USA

Restaurants across America facing the same fate as in Australian and many other places across the world, seeing a growing labor shortage in the kitchen.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the need for chefs and head cooks will rise by 25% by 2030.

Due to career changes, Mid life crisis and retirements the demand is growing year on year with an average of about 18,800 openings for chefs and head cooks are projected each year over the decade. 

The need for chefs and head cooks is reflected in the number of applications accepted by the Culinary Institute of America. CIA says it now accepts 97% of applicants who apply, up from just 36% in 2001.

The Industry are calling for better pay and better work life balance to meet the growing demand. But will this be enough. Changes to immigration rules may also need to be reviewed in light of the short supply. 

The nationwide median pay for a chef or head cook in the USA was $51,160 per year in 2021, This has now increase to $53,980 and $58,710 annually a demand increases and supply runs dry.