Who Earns More in 2025: A Chef or a Welder?

A high school graduate weighing two career paths—culinary arts or welding—faces a tough decision.

 Both offer hands-on work, creativity, and stability, but the question of pay often tips the scale.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2024, chefs and head cooks earned a median annual wage of $60,990, while welders earned about $51,000.

 For many, that simple comparison suggests chefs come out ahead, but the full story is more complex.

Pay for both careers varies dramatically by region, industry, and experience level. CareerOneStop data shows chefs earning as low as $36,000 and as high as $96,000, while welders often range from $35,000 to over $63,000.

 Add in overtime, tips, union benefits, and the possibility of specialized roles, and the numbers can shift quickly.

Beyond the paycheck, the decision also depends on training costs and lifestyle. Welding programs are shorter and less expensive, allowing quicker entry into the workforce.

 Culinary training, while longer and costlier, opens doors to executive roles and higher hospitality earnings in luxury markets.

This comparison matters now more than ever. With over 11 million welding and culinary jobs combined projected to remain steady or grow through 2034, both fields offer viable career paths for those seeking skilled, reliable work.

This guide breaks down the data to answer the key question: who earns more, a chef or a welder? By exploring wages, training, job outlook, and career progression, readers will understand which path may deliver the best return on investment—and which aligns better with their ambitions.

Quick Answer — Who Earns More, a Chef or a Welder?

On a national scale, chefs and head cooks earn more than welders. According to the latest BLS data, chefs report a median annual wage of $60,990, while welders average around $51,000.

The numbers, however, only tell part of the story. Welders often supplement their base earnings with overtime, shift differentials, and per-diem travel pay, which can raise total income beyond the published median. Meanwhile, chefs who rise to executive roles in luxury dining or hotel management can far outpace both averages.

Earnings ultimately depend on industry, skill level, and geographic location. In high-demand markets, a certified pipe welder can command higher pay than a line cook. In contrast, an executive chef at a major resort can out-earn most welders by a wide margin.

Who earns more on median?
Chefs at $60,990 vs welders at $51,000.

Does overtime make welders competitive?
Yes. Welders often earn time-and-a-half, which can push annual income past chef medians.

Do chefs benefit from tips?
Not directly. Tips usually go to servers, while chef earnings come from wages and salaries.

Which career offers faster entry to good pay?
Welding. Training is shorter, so income begins earlier.

Is location a decisive factor?
Absolutely. Welders in energy states and chefs in metro hospitality markets both see significant pay boosts.

The Salary Data — Medians, Percentiles, and What They Mean

Salary comparisons between chefs and welders become clearer when looking at percentiles rather than just a single median. The median annual wage for chefs is $60,990, while welders average about $51,000.

CareerOneStop adds valuable context by showing low, median, and high earners in both roles. Chefs typically earn around $36,000 at the low end, with high earners reaching $96,000 or more. Welders often range from $35,000 to $63,000, with specialized roles pushing beyond that ceiling.

Real-time job boards help fill in current market trends. For example, Indeed reports that welders earn about $23–24 per hour, while chefs average around $19–20 per hour. When factoring in overtime and benefits, welders may close the gap despite a lower base rate.

Percentile data reveals the biggest insights: chefs dominate at the upper end with executive positions in fine dining, while welders dominate through steady overtime in industries like energy and construction.

What’s the cleanest comparison metric?
The BLS median for each role, since it avoids extremes.

Are all chefs earning $60,990?
No. Many entry-level cooks earn closer to $36,000, while executive chefs can approach six figures.

Do welders have a narrower pay band?
Yes. Most welders fall between $35,000 and $63,000 unless specialized or unionized.

Which job boards show the most current pay?
Indeed and similar platforms provide hourly averages that reflect market conditions.

Does percentile analysis change the winner?
In some cases, yes—high-earning welders in niche fields can out-earn many chefs, but executive chefs generally have the higher ceiling.

Training, Time, and ROI — Culinary School vs Welding School

Training paths for chefs and welders differ significantly in length, cost, and return on investment. Welding programs typically last 3–9 months, followed by an AWS Certified Welder exam, allowing students to start earning sooner.

Culinary school, on the other hand, can take 12–24 months and often comes with higher tuition. Graduates may still need years of experience working as cooks before advancing into chef roles with higher pay.

This difference impacts ROI. Welders can enter the workforce quickly and start building income early, while culinary graduates may face debt and slower wage growth until reaching executive positions.

Which career gets paid sooner?
Welding, because training is shorter and less costly.

Is AWS certification essential for welders?
Yes, most employers prefer or require it for skilled work.

Do chefs need a degree?
Not always, but formal culinary training accelerates advancement.

Which has higher tuition costs?
Culinary programs typically cost more than welding school.

Is apprenticeship possible in both fields?
Yes. Welding apprenticeships and culinary externships both provide hands-on learning.

What Moves Pay Up — Specialties, Credentials, and Sectors

Specialization drives higher earnings in both careers. Welders who master pipe welding, structural codes, and industrial sectors often earn well above median. Union welding and work in energy or shipbuilding can also bring significant pay increases.

Chefs advance by moving into executive roles, luxury hospitality, or corporate food management. High-end restaurants, casinos, and resorts often pay chefs six-figure salaries.

Both careers reward documented skills, certifications, and the willingness to work in demanding environments.

What are the highest-paying welding niches?
Pipe welding, energy, and union construction.

What chef paths pay more?
Executive chef roles in fine dining and hospitality.

Do certifications matter?
Yes. AWS for welders and ServSafe or culinary diplomas for chefs.

Does relocation affect pay?
Absolutely. Moving to high-demand areas boosts earnings.

Who gains more from overtime?
Welders typically benefit more from OT and shift differentials.

Geographic Pay — Where the Money Is

Geography plays a huge role in pay. Welders earn the most in energy-rich states or regions with heavy industry. Chefs thrive in metro hospitality markets like Las Vegas, New York, and resort destinations.

CareerOneStop data shows welders in Washington earning between $48,000 and $83,000, while chefs nationally average $60,990, with metropolitan chefs exceeding that number.

Cost of living affects net earnings. A $70,000 salary in New York may not stretch as far as $55,000 in a rural energy hub, making relocation and expenses an important consideration.

Which career shows bigger regional swings?
Both. Welders peak in industrial hubs, chefs in luxury hospitality cities.

Do coastal cities pay chefs more?
Yes, especially in fine dining and resorts.

Are rural welders paid better?
In some cases, scarcity raises wages in rural industrial plants.

How can workers compare pay by state?
CareerOneStop and BLS provide interactive wage maps.

Does state tax affect take-home pay?
Yes, net income depends on both wages and local tax rates.

Work Schedules, Overtime, and Lifestyle Trade-offs

Both careers demand sacrifices. Chefs often work nights, weekends, and holidays, enduring long hours in hot kitchens. Welders may work in industrial settings, face outdoor conditions, and travel for projects.

Welders commonly earn overtime, night differentials, and per-diem travel pay, which boosts overall income. Chefs on salary may not receive extra pay for long shifts, though bonuses exist in high-end establishments.

Lifestyle fit matters as much as income. Some prefer the creative pace of kitchens, while others enjoy the structure of welding jobs.

Who has more predictable hours?
Welders in fabrication shops; chefs usually face variable shifts.

Is travel more common for welders?
Yes, especially in construction and energy projects.

Which career is riskier?
Both have hazards—burns and cuts for chefs, burns and fumes for welders.

Does salaried pay cover OT for chefs?
Often yes, meaning no extra OT pay.

Do welders receive per-diem?
Yes, for many travel-heavy jobs.

Long-Term Outlook and Mobility

Both careers show steady demand through 2034. The BLS projects 5% growth for cooks overall, with chef positions remaining competitive. Welders will see consistent demand across construction, manufacturing, and energy.

Career progression is critical. Welders can move into inspection, supervision, or specialized code welding. Chefs can transition into executive management, food service direction, or restaurant ownership.

Automation is unlikely to erase either career. Robotics may change welding methods, but skilled operators remain necessary. Kitchens may adopt more technology, but leadership chefs will always be needed.

Which career plateaus faster?
It depends on specialization and leadership growth.

Does automation threaten either job?
Not significantly—both require human oversight.

Do certifications expire?
Welding requires code renewals; chefs must refresh credentials.

Can workers switch tracks later?
Yes. Welders can shift into inspection; chefs can move into management.

What drives long-term pay increases?
Mobility, specialization, and leadership experience.

Verdict — Who Earns More a Chef or a Welder?

By national median, chefs earn more than welders. But the story changes when overtime, union benefits, and niche roles are considered. Many welders out-earn cooks and mid-level chefs through consistent OT.

On the other side, top-tier chefs in metropolitan restaurants or luxury resorts can surpass six figures, leaving most welders behind. The real answer depends on individual goals, training investment, and career trajectory.

So who wins overall?
Chefs, on median, but welders can match or exceed with OT.

Who benefits from faster ROI?
Welders, thanks to shorter, cheaper training.

Which career has the highest ceiling?
Both—elite chefs and specialized welders can exceed $100,000.

Which career has more lifestyle control?
Welders, depending on sector; chefs often face unpredictable schedules.

What’s the best choice for quick income?
Welding, especially with certifications and union jobs.

Conclusion

The question “who earns more, a chef or a welder?” does not have a single answer. By raw data, chefs earn more, but overtime, regional demand, and specialization can tip the scales toward welders.

For those seeking faster entry and steady income, welding may be the smarter choice. For those willing to invest in culinary school and climb the ladder, chef roles offer higher long-term earning potential.

Ultimately, the decision depends on passion as much as pay. Both welding and culinary arts offer rewarding, respected careers for those willing to master their craft.