AITakeover Tracker
32%medium risk

Cooks, Restaurant

Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.

Higher risk than 48% of occupations

AI Impact Summary

Cooks, Restaurant faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 32/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 48% of all analyzed occupations. Of 20 analyzed tasks, 4 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.

Skill Impact Analysis

AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)

Information Ordering5%

High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Reading Comprehension10%

Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Memorization5%

Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Programming15%

Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

AI-Resistant Skills (11)

Adaptability/Flexibility85%

Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Leadership88%

Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Manual Dexterity80%

Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Coordination70%

Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Social Perceptiveness90%

Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Service Orientation82%

Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Persuasion80%

Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Negotiation85%

Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

AI-Augmented Skills (7)

MonitoringCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingActive LearningSystems AnalysisWritingTechnology Design

Recommended Courses

Courses matched to Cooks, Restaurant skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.

Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.

Upskill to Reduce Risk

Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills

DataCampbeginner

SQL Fundamentals Skill Track

by DataCamp

21 hours$25/mo4.7Certificate
Addresses vulnerability: Information Ordering

Estimated Impact

-6.8pt risk+$2K/yr salary

AI-Augmentation Tools

Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity

Pluralsightbeginner

Cybersecurity Fundamentals Path

by Pluralsight

30 hours$29/mo4.5Certificate
Enhances AI augmentation: Monitoring

Estimated Impact

-4.9pt risk+$2K/yr salary

Strengthen Your Edge

Double down on skills AI can't replicate

Courseraintermediate

Leading People and Teams Specialization

by University of Michigan

~6 weeks$49/mo4.7Certificate
Strengthens resilience: Leadership

Estimated Impact

-3.8pt risk+$2K/yr salary

We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.

Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.

Education & Training

Percentage of workers at each education and training level

Education Level

Less than High School19%
High School Diploma44%
Some College18%
Post-Secondary Certificate11%
Associate's Degree5%
Bachelor's Degree1%
Level 123%

Prior Experience Needed

Work experience required to enter this job

None10%
Up to 1 month10%
1-3 months8%
3-6 months8%
6 months - 1 year14%
1-2 years23%
2-4 years26%
8-10 years1%

Training Provided After Hiring

How long it typically takes to learn on the job

None1%
Up to 1 month57%
1-3 months22%
3-6 months8%
6 months - 1 year3%
1-2 years9%

How AI Impacts Each Task

20 tasks analyzed

Inspect and clean food preparation areas, such as equipment and work surfaces, or serving areas to ensure safe and sanitary food-handling practices.

Risk: 45.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 5%

Ensure freshness of food and ingredients by checking for quality, keeping track of old and new items, and rotating stock.

Risk: 77.2%AI: 70EstimatedTime: 4%

Ensure food is stored and cooked at correct temperature by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and roasters.

Risk: 70.9%AI: 54.17ObservedTime: 4%

Season and cook food according to recipes or personal judgment and experience.

Risk: 17.0%AI: 20EstimatedTime: 12%

Turn or stir foods to ensure even cooking.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 5%

Observe and test foods to determine if they have been cooked sufficiently, using methods such as tasting, smelling, or piercing them with utensils.

Risk: 35.0%AI: 20EstimatedTime: 5%

Portion, arrange, and garnish food, and serve food to waiters or patrons.

Risk: 45.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 8%

Weigh, measure, and mix ingredients according to recipes or personal judgment, using various kitchen utensils and equipment.

Risk: 59.0%AI: 64.88ObservedTime: 8%

Bake, roast, broil, and steam meats, fish, vegetables, and other foods.

Risk: 57.8%AI: 61.9ObservedTime: 10%

Wash, peel, cut, and seed fruits and vegetables to prepare them for consumption.

Risk: 47.0%AI: 35EstimatedTime: 10%

Coordinate and supervise work of kitchen staff.

Risk: 27.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 5%

Estimate expected food consumption, requisition or purchase supplies, or procure food from storage.

Risk: 86.0%AI: 92EstimatedTime: 3%

Substitute for or assist other cooks during emergencies or rush periods.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 5%

Consult with supervisory staff to plan menus, taking into consideration factors such as costs and special event needs.

Risk: 35.0%AI: 50EstimatedTime: 2%

Butcher and dress animals, fowl, or shellfish, or cut and bone meat prior to cooking.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 3%

Prepare relishes and hors d'oeuvres.

Risk: 43.0%AI: 25EstimatedTime: 3%

Carve and trim meats such as beef, veal, ham, pork, and lamb for hot or cold service, or for sandwiches.

Risk: 13.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 2%

Keep records and accounts.

Risk: 87.2%AI: 95EstimatedTime: 2%

Bake breads, rolls, cakes, and pastries.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 2%

Plan and price menu items.

Risk: 52.4%AI: 63.5ObservedTime: 2%

Protective Factors

Total protective discount: 28.3%

Essential Soft Skills

Traits that are hard for AI to replicate

CooperationDependabilityAttention to DetailStress ToleranceSelf ControlInitiativeIntegrityAdaptability/FlexibilitySocial OrientationAchievement/EffortLeadershipConcern for Others

Wage & Employment (2024)

Median Wage

$36,830

per year

Mean Wage

$37,730

per year

Employment

1.5M

workers

Wage Range

$28,010 - $47,340

10th - 90th pct

Wage Distribution

$28,010Median: $36,830$47,340
Career Planning

Explore other career paths

Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.

Alternate Career Paths

See all transitions

Butchers and Meat Cutters

29%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $38,960

Higher risk than 33% of other occupations

Cooks, Short Order

34%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $35,620

Higher risk than 61% of other occupations

Bakers

37%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $36,650

Higher risk than 71% of other occupations

Food Preparation Workers

37%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $34,220

Higher risk than 71% of other occupations

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

40%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $36,450

Higher risk than 80% of other occupations

Packers and Packagers, Hand

42%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $35,580

Higher risk than 86% of other occupations

Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food

43%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 89% of other occupations

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders

45%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $40,550

Higher risk than 92% of other occupations

Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders

46%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $41,460

Higher risk than 93% of other occupations

Cooks, Fast Food

46%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $30,160

Higher risk than 93% of other occupations

Sales Managers

25%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 20% of other occupations

Chief Executives

26%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 23% of other occupations

General and Operations Managers

28%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 29% of other occupations

Marketing Managers

30%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 38% of other occupations

Advertising and Promotions Managers

31%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 43% of other occupations

Computer and Information Systems Managers

31%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 45% of other occupations

Subscribed — always updated

Recommendations

Skills to Develop

These skills are at risk from AI automation. Cooks, Restaurant professionals should diversify beyond them.

  • Information Ordering

    High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

  • Reading Comprehension

    Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

  • Mathematics

    Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

  • Mathematics

    Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

  • Memorization

    Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Skills to Leverage

These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.

  • Adaptability/Flexibility

    Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • Leadership

    Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • Manual Dexterity

    Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • Coordination

    Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • Social Perceptiveness

    Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Tools to Adopt

AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.

  • Monitoring

    Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

  • Critical Thinking

    Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

  • Judgment and Decision Making

    Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

  • Active Learning

    Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

  • Systems Analysis

    Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

Score History

Risk score over 2 scoring runs

+2.8

overall change

Checking for existing plan...

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