Will AI replace food servers, nonrestaurant?AI replacement risk 25% and how the work is changing

United States Food Service Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$35,360

25th–75th pct. $31,190–$38,500

Top pay (est.)

$60,000

Top 10% $46,120

Pay in 5 years

$41,400est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$48,500est.

$41,700–$56,300

Outlook score

56/100

★★★☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

25%

Low

Job growth (10 yr)

+4.5%

49K openings / yr

Will AI replace Food Servers, Nonrestaurant? 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 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant

Key skills

Coordination

2.6

Social Perceptiveness

2.6

Speaking

2.5

Critical Thinking

2.4

Active Listening

2.4

Monitoring

2.2

Service Orientation

2.1

Complex Problem Solving

2.1

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

English Language

3.5

Customer and Personal Service

3.5

Education and Training

3.0

Psychology

2.9

Public Safety and Security

2.8

Food Production

2.7

Mathematics

2.5

Administration and Management

2.4

What the work involves

Performing for or Working Directly with the PublicHandling and Moving ObjectsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesAssisting and Caring for OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Important abilities

Near VisionSpeech ClarityOral ExpressionOral ComprehensionSpeech RecognitionWritten Comprehension

Education of workers

High school diploma

48%

Less than high school

27%

Some college

Post-doctoral training

Bachelor's degree

Associate's degree

Post-secondary certificate

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

45%

None / short demo

33%

1–3 months

14%

3–6 months

Related work experience

None

38%

3–6 months

24%

1–2 years

15%

Up to 1 month

13%

2–4 years

1–3 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.