Culinary Arts and Related Services at Salt Lake Community College

Salt Lake City, UT · Public · Associate Degree

with a mid-sized student body of 17,247 in Salt Lake City, UT.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Salt Lake Community College's Culinary Arts and Related Services program earn $31,788/yr in their first year — 32% above the $23,994 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

With a 39.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Culinary Arts and Related Services involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

Salt Lake Community College ranks #24 among 137 Culinary Arts and Related Services programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

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.

68 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
68
Score
68
High End
Earnings $31,788/yr (32% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$333K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
39.1x
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)
$8,514
Out-of-state: $27,402
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$31,911
0% 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 Salt Lake Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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 Salt Lake Community College?
At 68/100, Salt Lake 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?
Culinary Arts and Related Services rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 20% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
Is Salt Lake Community College one of the best schools for Culinary Arts and Related Services?
The #24 ranking out of 137 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates?
There are 17 registered apprenticeships connected to Culinary Arts and Related Services occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Culinary Arts and Related Services workers?
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 →