Cooking Instructors

Earnings vary widely according to the number of courses taught, the instructor’s experience, the type of academic institution, and the area of the country where the institution is located.

Postsecondary vocational education teachers, including cooking instructors, earned median annual salaries of $62,060 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The lowest 10 percent of those employed in this field earned less than $39,120 and the top 10 percent earned more than $105,200.

Self-enrichment teachers, which also includes cooking instructors, had median annual earnings of $45,330 in May 2023. The highest paid 10 percent earned more than $85,980. The lowest paid 10 percent of teachers earned $28,600 or less.

The median annual wage for high school career and technical education teachers, including cooking instructors, was $65,130 in May 2023. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $44,880, and the top 10 percent earned more than $102,550.

Because many cooking instructors are employed part time, they are often paid by the hour or by the course, and do not receive health insurance or other benefits. Hourly pay ranges from minimum wage to $50.

Benefits for full-time workers include paid vacation, health, disability, life insurance, and retirement or pension plans. Self-employed teachers must provide their own benefits.