Culinary Arts at Pittsburgh Technical College

Oakdale, PA · Private nonprofit · Certificate · Culinary Arts and Related Services

a smaller institution with 822 students in Oakdale, PA.

Program Analysis

Pittsburgh Technical College's Culinary Arts program produces graduates earning $23,217/yr — within striking distance of the $23,994 national average for this trade.

The 12.8x 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.

With only 20% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 0%. Career paths for Culinary Arts are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,500 in median debt clears fast against $23,217 in annual earnings.

At #119 out of 137 programs, Pittsburgh Technical College's financial outcomes for Culinary Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

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

54 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
54
Score
55
High End
Earnings $23,217/yr (-3% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$243K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
12.8x
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
$18,980
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Culinary Arts 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 →

Culinary Arts Career Guide

Explore what Culinary Arts graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 137 programs nationwide.

Read the full Culinary Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Culinary Arts Overview

Culinary Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pittsburgh 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

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Culinary Arts at Pittsburgh Technical College?
At 54/100, the score looks reasonable — but Culinary Arts is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Will AI replace Culinary Arts jobs?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 20% of Culinary Arts tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 13 of 13 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Culinary Arts program at Pittsburgh Technical College?
The DOL recognizes 17 apprenticeship pathways related to Culinary Arts. For students weighing Pittsburgh Technical College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Culinary Arts from Pittsburgh Technical College?
Job availability for Culinary Arts is strong — 789,200 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Pittsburgh Technical College graduates specifically, local market conditions in PA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →