Will AI replace dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers?AI replacement risk 17% and how the work is changing

United States Food Service Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$33,980

25th–75th pct. $28,330–$37,250

Top pay (est.)

$60,500

Top 10% $46,570

Pay in 5 years

$40,000est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$47,100est.

$40,500–$54,600

Outlook score

59/100

★★★☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

17%

Very low

Job growth (10 yr)

+5.3%

95K openings / yr

Will AI replace Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers? AI replacement risk

17%

Very low

Ranked #106 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 Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

Key skills

Coordination

2.9

Critical Thinking

2.2

Judgment and Decision Making

2.1

Management of Personnel Resources

2.1

Speaking

2.1

Active Learning

2.1

Time Management

2.1

Service Orientation

2.1

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service

3.9

Food Production

3.0

English Language

3.0

Administration and Management

2.6

Sales and Marketing

2.5

Psychology

2.2

Production and Processing

2.0

Education and Training

2.0

What the work involves

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsHandling and Moving ObjectsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsScheduling Work and ActivitiesAssisting and Caring for OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicPerforming General Physical Activities

Important abilities

Near VisionTrunk StrengthStatic StrengthManual DexterityExtent FlexibilityStamina

Education of workers

High school diploma

74%

Less than high school

22%

Post-secondary certificate

Associate's degree

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

59%

None / short demo

34%

1–3 months

1–2 years

Related work experience

None

41%

Up to 1 month

37%

1–3 months

1–2 years

3–6 months

6–12 months

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.