How to become First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workerseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Food Service Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$44,080

25th–75th pct. $35,980–$54,570

Top pay (est.)

$85,200

Top 10% $65,570

Pay in 5 years

$51,600est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$60,500est.

$52,000–$70,300

Outlook score

60/100

★★★☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

30%

Low

Job growth (10 yr)

+5.4%

172K openings / yr

How to become First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers

Typical education

High school diploma or equivalent

BLS

Related experience

Less than 5 years

On-the-job training

None

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 First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers

Key skills

Speaking

4.0

Monitoring

4.0

Coordination

4.0

Management of Personnel Resources

3.9

Critical Thinking

3.8

Social Perceptiveness

3.6

Service Orientation

3.6

Time Management

3.6

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service

3.7

Food Production

3.6

Education and Training

3.6

Mathematics

3.5

Administration and Management

3.5

Production and Processing

3.4

English Language

3.3

Sales and Marketing

3.0

What the work involves

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCoaching and Developing OthersIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsHandling and Moving ObjectsGetting InformationGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesStaffing Organizational UnitsPerforming for or Working Directly with the Public

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionProblem SensitivityFar VisionNear Vision

Education of workers

High school diploma

70%

Less than high school

27%

Post-secondary certificate

Some college

Training before entry

3–6 months

30%

None / short demo

14%

Up to 1 month

13%

6–12 months

11%

4–10 years

10%

Related work experience

None

25%

1–2 years

22%

6–12 months

21%

Over 10 years

10%

1–3 months

10%

3–6 months

10%

2–4 years

8–10 years

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

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers

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	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%
5	Bartenders Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.	$34,340	58/100	20%
6	Cooks, Fast Food Prepare and cook food in a fast food restaurant with a limited menu.	$30,890	41/100	35%

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.