Oklahoma: Low Cost of Living and Good Chef Compensation
Oklahoma has one of the lowest cost of living in the nation, second only to Tennessee, which has a cost of living 16 percent lower than the national average in terms of groceries, transportation, housing, utilities, and healthcare. For culinary school graduates, a career in OK can provide a comfortable lifestyle.
Culinary Arts Graduates Look to Oklahoma Cities
The best career opportunities for cooking school graduates may be found in Oklahoma's larger cities. Oklahoma City and Tulsa are two excellent options, as students can find the largest number of hotels, fine dining restaurants, and catering companies there.
Oklahoma's 126,970 food preparation and serving workers help bring in tourism and entertainment income for the state, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salary.com reports that executive chefs in Oklahoma City earn between $42,134 and $94,200 annually. Fine dining cooks in casinos earn between $25,094 and $33,021 per year.
Oklahoma Casinos Draw Chefs and Tourists
Oklahoma's casinos provide a big income for the state, and culinary workers benefit. Casinos such as Buffalo Run in Miami, Creek Nation in Tulsa, and Remington Park in Oklahoma City provide fine dining and lodging options. The Riverwind Casino in Goldsby is Oklahoma's largest gaming establishment, featuring the state's largest buffet, along with a fine dining restaurant serving Santa Fe style cuisine.
Thanks to Oklahoma's casino and fine dining options, culinary institute graduates may find themselves with a wide range of career choices.
Culinary Schools in the United States
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington DC
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Featured Schools
Develop your portfolio at The Art Institutes, and get a competitive advantage.
- Dallas
- Culinary Arts (AAS)
- Culinary Arts (C)
Bring Your Fire to the Plate. Le Cordon Bleu. Learn the Way.
- Orlando
- Scottsdale
- Austin
- Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Austin - 12 Month Certificate in Culinary Arts
- Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Scottsdale - Certificate in Culinary Arts
Fire up your new career with Auguste Escoffier Schools of Culinary Arts. We offer three programs for careers in the culinary industry, including culinary arts, pastry arts, as well as a chef track.
- Boulder
- Diploma in Culinary Arts
- Diploma in Pastry Arts - 15 week Part Time Extended Program
Earn Your Diploma from Home!
- Online
- Cooking and Catering
- Hotel and Restaurant Management
Advance your career with our affordable, self-paced, career-focused distance education programs.
- Online
- Caterer
- Hotel/Restaurant Management
Earn your degree or diploma on your schedule and succeed at Ashworth College.
- Online
- Hotel/Restaurant Management
