Shigoto Zukan
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Will AI replace cooks, institution and cafeteria?AI replacement risk 27% and how the work is changing

United States Food Service Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$37,450
25th–75th pct. $32,440–$44,800
Top pay (est.)
$64,600
Top 10% $49,670
Pay in 5 years
$43,700est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$50,900est.
$43,800–$59,100
Outlook score
51/100
★★★☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
27%
Low
Job growth (10 yr)
+2.8%
63K openings / yr

Will AI replace Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria? AI replacement risk

27%
Low
Ranked #217 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

Key skills

Coordination
3.1
Active Listening
3.0
Monitoring
3.0
Management of Personnel Resources
3.0
Time Management
3.0
Service Orientation
3.0
Complex Problem Solving
2.9
Social Perceptiveness
2.9

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service
3.7
Food Production
3.7
Administration and Management
3.3
Education and Training
3.2
Mathematics
3.0
Production and Processing
3.0
English Language
3.0
Public Safety and Security
2.7

What the work involves

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsGetting InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkHandling and Moving ObjectsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersAssisting and Caring for Others

Important abilities

Oral ComprehensionOral ExpressionProblem SensitivityInformation OrderingNear VisionTime Sharing

Education of workers

High school diploma
71%
Post-secondary certificate
14%
Bachelor's degree
7%
Some college
6%
Less than high school
2%

Training before entry

Up to 1 month
69%
1–3 months
12%
None / short demo
10%
3–6 months
4%
6–12 months
3%
1–2 years
1%

Related work experience

1–2 years
26%
Up to 1 month
23%
None
21%
2–4 years
10%
1–3 months
8%
6–12 months
7%
3–6 months
6%

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

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

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.