CFChooseField
Food Service

Food Preparation Workers

Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Food Preparation Workers
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Median pay

$34,220
Median annual pay for Food Preparation Workers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-3.4%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

148,000
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

902,700
Estimated U.S. employment for Food Preparation Workers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-30,900
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Short-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Speaking
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Monitoring
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2Food Production
  3. 3Production and Processing
  4. 4English Language
  5. 5Administration and Management
  6. 6Psychology

Abilities

  1. 1Near Vision
  2. 2Oral Comprehension
  3. 3Trunk Strength
  4. 4Arm-Hand Steadiness
  5. 5Finger Dexterity
  6. 6Manual Dexterity

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Investigative

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Attention to Detail
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Cooperation
  5. 5Stress Tolerance
  6. 6Self-Control

Work activities

  1. 1Getting Information
  2. 2Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  3. 3Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  4. 4Performing General Physical Activities
  5. 5Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  6. 6Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Work context

  1. 1Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  2. 2Spend Time Standing
  3. 3Contact With Others
  4. 4Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  5. 5Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  6. 6Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Representative tasks

  • Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.
  • Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.
  • Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers.
  • Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.
  • Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.
  • Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.
  • Weigh or measure ingredients.
  • Vacuum dining area and sweep and mop kitchen floor.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyBarrington Software CookenPro CommercialCBORD Foodservice SuiteCBORD NetRecipeCulinary Software Services ChefTecEGS CALCMENUiProMaster Cook Deluxe Professional CookMealmaster Cookbook WizardMicroBlast Recipe Wizard for WindowsQuizlet

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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