Will AI replace cooks, short order?AI replacement risk 25% and how the work is changing

United States Food Service Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$35,880

25th–75th pct. $30,610–$42,450

Top pay (est.)

$60,400

Top 10% $46,460

Pay in 5 years

$41,000est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$47,000est.

$40,400–$54,500

Outlook score

40/100

★★☆☆☆ Below average

AI replacement risk

25%

Low

Job growth (10 yr)

−5.2%

17K openings / yr

Will AI replace Cooks, Short Order? AI replacement risk

25%

Low

Ranked #180 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, Short Order

Key skills

Time Management

3.1

Coordination

3.0

Critical Thinking

2.9

Service Orientation

2.8

Monitoring

2.6

Social Perceptiveness

2.5

Speaking

2.5

Reading Comprehension

2.4

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Food Production

4.0

Production and Processing

2.8

Customer and Personal Service

2.4

English Language

2.4

Chemistry

2.2

Communications and Media

1.9

Foreign Language

1.8

Mathematics

1.6

What the work involves

Getting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeProcessing InformationControlling Machines and Processes

Important abilities

Near VisionTrunk StrengthManual DexterityOral ComprehensionInformation OrderingTime Sharing

Education of workers

High school diploma

66%

Less than high school

14%

Some college

Post-secondary certificate

Associate's degree

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

29%

1–3 months

10%

3–6 months

6–12 months

Related work experience

3–6 months

17%

6–12 months

14%

1–2 years

2–4 years

4–6 years

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

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

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.