How to become cooks, fast foodeducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Food Service Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$30,890

25th–75th pct. $27,260–$37,260

Top pay (est.)

$55,800

Top 10% $42,910

Pay in 5 years

$35,700est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$41,300est.

$35,500–$47,900

Outlook score

41/100

★★☆☆☆ Below average

AI replacement risk

35%

Low

Job growth (10 yr)

+0.6%

86K openings / yr

How to become cooks, fast food

Typical education

No formal educational credential

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

Short-term on-the-job training

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Cooks, Fast Food

Key skills

Active Listening

2.5

Reading Comprehension

2.4

Service Orientation

2.4

Social Perceptiveness

2.2

Coordination

2.2

Persuasion

2.1

Critical Thinking

2.1

Monitoring

2.1

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service

3.3

English Language

2.9

Food Production

2.8

Education and Training

2.6

Administration and Management

2.2

Production and Processing

2.2

Sales and Marketing

1.8

Administrative

1.7

What the work involves

Handling and Moving ObjectsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsGetting InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkInspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Important abilities

Oral ComprehensionNear VisionSpeech RecognitionInformation OrderingManual DexterityArm-Hand Steadiness

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

59%

None / short demo

24%

3–6 months

1–2 years

1–3 months

6–12 months

Related work experience

None

67%

1–2 years

13%

2–4 years

Up to 1 month

6–12 months

6–8 years

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★☆☆☆☆ Easy to enter (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as cooks, fast food

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Fast Food and Counter Workers Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages.	$31,200	57/100	30%
2	Waiters and Waitresses Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.	$35,230	50/100	18%
3	Cooks, Restaurant Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants.	$37,390	65/100	19%
4	First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in preparing and serving food.	$44,080	60/100	30%
5	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.	$35,320	42/100	30%
6	Bartenders Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.	$34,340	58/100	20%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.