Food Preparation/Professional Cooking/Kitchen Assistant

CIP 12.0505 Certificate Associate

Program Availability

Schools Offering

53

74 total including inactive

States

17

Across 17 states

Graduates (2025)

1,188

Total completions

Food Preparation/Professional Cooking/Kitchen Assistant is offered as a certificate and associate program at schools across 17 states, making it a solid trade program. The most popular states are Georgia, Wisconsin and Illinois.

Career & Cost Overview

Median Salary

$36,210

Cooks, All Other

Job Growth

+5.5%

10-year projected growth

Median Tuition

$4,462

In-state annual rate

Graduates typically pursue careers as Cooks, All Other. In-state tuition ranges from $576 to $14,500, and the work is primarily indoor with moderate physical demands — suited for hands-on learners who enjoy practical work.

Graduate Demographics

Gender Distribution

Male: 471 (39.6%)
Female: 717 (60.4%)

Degree Level Distribution

Certificate: 1,109 (93.4%)
Associate: 79 (6.6%)

Is This Career Right for You?

Is This Career Right for You?

Interest Profile (Holland Codes)

R
Realistic
C
Conventional
S
Social

hands-on, practical work with tools and equipment; organizing, systematizing, and working with data; helping and working with people

What does this mean? ▼

This career is best suited for people who enjoy:

  • Building things
  • Working with hands
  • Organization
  • Data management
  • Helping others
  • Teaching

Ideal Candidate Profile

👤 Personality Traits

✓ Practical
✓ Hands-on
✓ Organized
✓ Detail-oriented
✓ Empathetic
✓ Patient

💡 Interests

● Building things
● Working with hands
● Organization
● Data management
● Helping others
● Teaching

⭐ Work Values

♦ Speaking
♦ Service Orientation
♦ Social Perceptiveness
♦ Helping others
♦ Independence
♦ Accuracy

❓ Ask Yourself These Questions

1

Do you enjoy hands-on, practical work with tools and equipment; organizing, systematizing, and working with data; helping and working with people?

2

Do you value speaking?

3

Are you willing to develop the technical skills required for this field?

✓ This Career May Be Great For You If:

  • • Hands-on learners who enjoy practical work
  • • People-oriented individuals who enjoy helping others
  • • Detail-oriented individuals who value organization

⚠ Consider These Challenges:

  • • Those who prefer desk-based, theoretical work
  • • Those who prefer working independently
  • • Those who dislike repetitive tasks
💭

Note: This assessment is based on typical requirements and characteristics for careers in this field. Individual experiences may vary. Consider your own interests, values, and goals when making career decisions.

Where Can You Study Food Preparation/Professional Cooking/Kitchen Assistant?

Click on any state to view schools offering this program.

0 schools
1-9 schools
10-24 schools
25-49 schools
50+ schools

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