General
Cosmetology Services And Culinary Arts
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Cosmetology Services And Culinary Arts.
Entry Level Salary
$33,476
Median Salary
$57,388
Unemployment Rate
5.4%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
69.7%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,295,520
Entry (Early)
$33,476
Median (Prime)
$57,388
High (Prime)
$64,894
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-154k
+59k
+121k
$25k / yr
-244k
-31k
+31k
$50k / yr
-334k
-121k
-59k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
36
31
$25k / yr
Never
Never
48
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-225%
-29%
28%
$50k / yr
-154%
-56%
-27%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate11.3%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Chefs and head cooks
15.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$28,138
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$47,823|$60,990
openings
24,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +7.1%
Cooks
5.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$26,600
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$31,238|$35,760
openings
432,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.7%
Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers
5.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$50,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$67,530|$49,800
openings
3,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.1%
Food service managers
4.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$65,279
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$71,735|$65,310
openings
42,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.4%
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
2.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$38,936
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$37,302|$35,250
openings
75,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.6%
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$45,432
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$45,020|$47,320
openings
125,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5%
Customer service representatives
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$33,476
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$39,393|$42,830
openings
341,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5.5%
First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$41,296
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$47,823|$42,010
openings
183,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6%
Cashiers
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$30,389
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$35,867|$31,200
openings
546,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): -9.9%
Bakers
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$33,037
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$37,300|$36,650
openings
39,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.6%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| cosmetology and related personal grooming services. | Undergrad Certificate | 1401 | $10,791 - $43,507 |
| cosmetology and related personal grooming services. | Associate's Degree | 164 | $17,458 - $33,290 |
| cosmetology and related personal grooming services. | Master's Degree | 1 | $18,558 - $18,558 |
| cosmetology and related personal grooming services. | First Professional Degree | 1 | $28,855 - $28,855 |
| cosmetology and related personal grooming services. | Graduate Certificate | 4 | Data N/A |
| cosmetology and related personal grooming services. | Level 99 | 8 | $20,816 - $36,281 |
| funeral service and mortuary science. | Undergrad Certificate | 25 | $16,843 - $67,653 |
| funeral service and mortuary science. | Associate's Degree | 57 | $43,598 - $68,311 |
| funeral service and mortuary science. | Bachelor's Degree | 12 | $52,985 - $77,420 |