Culinary Arts and Related Services at Milwaukee Area Technical College

Milwaukee, WI · Public · Associate Degree

serving 11,362 students in Milwaukee, WI.

Program Analysis

Milwaukee Area Technical College's Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates start at $25,304/yr — above the $23,994 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 33.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 20% task exposure — and the 22% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates.

The $14,125 debt-to-$25,304 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #56 out of 137 programs, Milwaukee Area Technical College's Culinary Arts and Related Services offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $25,304 to $32,428 shows 28% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 17 registered apprenticeships mapped to Culinary Arts and Related Services, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58
Low End
62
Score
62
High End
Earnings $25,304/yr (5% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$340K
6.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
33.9x
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)
$10,034
Out-of-state: $14,420
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,125
6.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$32,428
28% 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

Culinary Arts and Related Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at Milwaukee Area Technical College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Milwaukee Area Technical College's Culinary Arts and Related Services program score?
A score of 62/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Culinary Arts and Related Services field.
Will AI replace Culinary Arts and Related Services jobs?
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.
Are there apprenticeship options for Culinary Arts and Related Services?
Yes — 17 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Culinary Arts and Related Services career paths, including Baker (Bake Produce). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates?
With approximately 789,200 annual openings across mapped careers, Culinary Arts and Related Services offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →