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Culinary Arts and Related Services at Guilford Technical Community College

Jamestown, NC · Public · Associate Degree

with a mid-sized student body of 8,179 in Jamestown, NC.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $14,813/yr fall 38% below the $23,994 national median for Culinary Arts and Related Services. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 55.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Culinary Arts and Related Services carry above-average AI exposure (20% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

A #55 ranking among 137 Culinary Arts and Related Services programs places Guilford Technical Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $14,813-to-$30,242 earnings arc over five years reflects a 104% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

The 17 apprenticeship pathways connected to Culinary Arts and Related Services reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
62
Score
63
High End
Earnings $14,813/yr (-38% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$260K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
56.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
13 of 13
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,638
Out-of-state: $15,390
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$30,242
104% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Food scientists and technologists $85,310 +6.5% 65%
Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490 +1.8% 100%
Food service managers $65,310 +6.4% 58%
Food scientists and technologists
$85,310
+6.5% growth 65% AI-proof
Postsecondary teachers, all other
$78,490
+1.8% growth 100% AI-proof
Food service managers
$65,310
+6.4% growth 58% AI-proof

View all 13 career paths with full salary data →

About Culinary Arts and Related Services Careers

Your career will likely begin in the controlled chaos of a professional kitchen. As a restaurant cook, you'll spend your days prepping ingredients with precision and working the line during a busy service, mastering the grill, sauté pans, and fryer. This path is seeing incredible growth, with huge demand for skilled cooks.

Read the full Culinary Arts and Related Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Culinary Arts and Related Services Overview

View all 137 schools offering Culinary Arts and Related Services →

Culinary Arts and Related Services at Other Schools

Johnson County Community College ($38,977) Southeast Community College Area ($36,734) Cincinnati State Technical and Community College ($36,330) Fox Valley Technical College ($34,736) Washtenaw Community College ($33,382) Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College ($32,602) Saint Paul College ($32,478) Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science ($32,023)

Other Majors at Guilford Technical Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($67,200) Dental Support Services and Allied Professions ($59,473) Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies ($45,604) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($45,078) Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies ($42,264) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($40,595) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($40,215) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($37,728)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Culinary Arts and Related Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Culinary Arts and Related Services at Guilford Technical Community College?
At 62/100, Guilford Technical Community College's Culinary Arts and Related Services program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How safe is Culinary Arts and Related Services from automation?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Culinary Arts and Related Services work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
Is Guilford Technical Community College a good choice for Culinary Arts and Related Services despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Guilford Technical Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Culinary Arts and Related Services through an apprenticeship instead?
Culinary Arts and Related Services connects to 17 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates?
The career paths mapped to Culinary Arts and Related Services have roughly 789,200 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →