Cooks, Short Order
Prepare and cook to order a variety of foods that require only a short preparation time. May take orders from customers and serve patrons at counters or tables.
How AI Impacts Each Task
11 tasks analyzed
Clean food preparation equipment, work areas, and counters or tables.
Perform food preparation tasks, such as making sandwiches, carving meats, making soups or salads, baking breads or desserts, and brewing coffee or tea.
Perform general cleaning activities in kitchen and dining areas.
Restock kitchen supplies, rotate food, and stamp the time and date on food in coolers.
Grill, cook, and fry foods such as french fries, eggs, and pancakes.
Plan work on orders so that items served together are finished at the same time.
Take orders from customers and cook foods requiring short preparation times, according to customer requirements.
Grill and garnish hamburgers or other meats, such as steaks and chops.
Complete orders from steam tables, placing food on plates and serving customers at tables or counters.
Order supplies and stock them on shelves.
Accept payments, and make change or write charge slips as necessary.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean food preparation equipment, work areas, and counters or tables. | 25Estimated | 43.0% | 8% | |
| Perform food preparation tasks, such as making sandwiches, carving meats, making soups or salads, baking breads or desserts, and brewing coffee or tea. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 15% | |
| Perform general cleaning activities in kitchen and dining areas. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 5% | |
| Restock kitchen supplies, rotate food, and stamp the time and date on food in coolers. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Grill, cook, and fry foods such as french fries, eggs, and pancakes. | 57.15Observed | 31.9% | 15% | |
| Plan work on orders so that items served together are finished at the same time. | 62.88Observed | 74.4% | 7% | |
| Take orders from customers and cook foods requiring short preparation times, according to customer requirements. | 52.5Observed | 36.0% | 10% | |
| Grill and garnish hamburgers or other meats, such as steaks and chops. | 30Estimated | 21.0% | 15% | |
| Complete orders from steam tables, placing food on plates and serving customers at tables or counters. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 10% | |
| Order supplies and stock them on shelves. | 65Estimated | 75.2% | 5% | |
| Accept payments, and make change or write charge slips as necessary. | 97Estimated | 88.0% | 5% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
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/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis