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Hospitality, Travel, & FoodGrowingBright Outlook

Cook, Private Household

Operational-level

Also known as: Certified Personal Chef (CPC), Cook, Cooking Chef, Culinary Artist

Hospitality, Travel, & FoodBachelor's Degree

Job Description

As a private household cook, you prepare meals directly in someone's home, often working as a personal chef. You spend much of your time standing and using your hands to prepare food and manage kitchen tasks. You need strong critical thinking, communication, and active learning skills, often making decisions about menus and ingredients. While you work indoors, you may face time pressure to deliver meals on schedule. This role suits someone who loves cooking and thrives in a self-directed environment.
Private ChefCulinary ArtsMeal PlanningPersonal CookingHospitalityNutritionFood ScienceCustomer Service

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies
Intuit QuickBooksWordPress

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Bright Outlook

O*NET flags this career as a Bright Outlook occupation: grows rapidly over the next decade.

Projected growth

+5.1%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

5,000

per year (US)

Jobs today

35,400

in 2025 → 37,200 (2035)

Typical entry education

Postsecondary nondegree award

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication
High
Working in a team
Moderate
Contact with others
Moderate
Freedom to make decisions
High
Time pressure
High
Time spent sitting
Low
Working outdoors
Low
Indoor, climate-controlled
High
Dealing with customers
Moderate
Level of competition
Moderate

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Growing Job Market

This career is experiencing rapid growth, with a projected 5.1% increase in jobs and about 5,000 openings each year through 2035. The median annual wage for private household cooks is around $47,940. While an Associate's degree is typically useful, you can advance your skills to become an executive private chef or start your own catering business.

Career ladder

Often before this role

  • Kitchen Assistant
  • Prep Cook
  • Restaurant Line Cook

Where it can lead

  • Executive Private Chef
  • Culinary Consultant
  • Catering Business Owner

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will likely assist private household cooks with recipe suggestions, inventory management, and personalized meal planning based on dietary profiles, enhancing efficiency. While AI can streamline administrative tasks and ingredient ordering, the core human element of creativity, sensory evaluation, and personal touch in cooking for specific individuals will remain irreplaceable. Therefore, AI will serve as a powerful tool to augment, rather than replace, the private chef's role.

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Salary

$47,940

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position

Relevant Studies

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