AITakeover Tracker
37%medium risk

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.

Higher risk than 71% of occupations

AI Impact Summary

Food Preparation Workers faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 37/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 71% of all analyzed occupations. Of 31 analyzed tasks, 2 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%

Information Ordering 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.

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.

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)

Leadership88%

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

Adaptability/Flexibility85%

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

Manual Dexterity80%

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

Service Orientation82%

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

Social Perceptiveness90%

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

Coordination70%

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

Persuasion80%

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

Instructing75%

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

AI-Augmented Skills (7)

Critical ThinkingMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingActive LearningWritingSystems AnalysisTechnology Design

Recommended Courses

Courses matched to Food Preparation Workers 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

-6.6pt 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

-4.7pt 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 School38%
High School Diploma45%
Some College1%
Bachelor's Degree4%
Level 913%

Prior Experience Needed

Work experience required to enter this job

None42%
Up to 1 month10%
1-3 months14%
3-6 months2%
6 months - 1 year12%
1-2 years14%
4-6 years4%
6-8 years3%

Training Provided After Hiring

How long it typically takes to learn on the job

None12%
Up to 1 month43%
1-3 months20%
3-6 months10%
6 months - 1 year1%
1-2 years14%

How AI Impacts Each Task

31 tasks analyzed

Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.

Risk: 47.0%AI: 35EstimatedTime: 5%

Operate cash register, handle money, and give correct change.

Risk: 87.2%AI: 95EstimatedTime: 1%

Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.

Risk: 56.8%AI: 59.6ObservedTime: 3%

Portion and wrap the food, or place it directly on plates for service to patrons.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 3%

Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers.

Risk: 88.0%AI: 97EstimatedTime: 1%

Prepare a variety of foods, such as meats, vegetables, or desserts, according to customers' orders or supervisors' instructions, following approved procedures.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 5%

Keep records of the quantities of food used.

Risk: 64.2%AI: 37.5ObservedTime: 1%

Place food trays over food warmers for immediate service, or store them in refrigerated storage cabinets.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 2%

Package take-out foods or serve food to customers.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 2%

Stock cupboards and refrigerators, and tend salad bars and buffet meals.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 2%

Wash, peel, and cut various foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to prepare for cooking or serving.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 5%

Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.

Risk: 53.0%AI: 50EstimatedTime: 2%

Vacuum dining area and sweep and mop kitchen floor.

Risk: 59.0%AI: 65EstimatedTime: 1%

Distribute food to waiters and waitresses to serve to customers.

Risk: 57.0%AI: 60EstimatedTime: 1%

Cut, slice or grind meat, poultry, and seafood to prepare for cooking.

Risk: 47.0%AI: 35EstimatedTime: 2%

Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 1%

Weigh or measure ingredients.

Risk: 53.0%AI: 50EstimatedTime: 1%

Receive and store food supplies, equipment, and utensils in refrigerators, cupboards, and other storage areas.

Risk: 53.3%AI: 50.8ObservedTime: 2%

Inform supervisors when equipment is not working properly and when food and supplies are getting low, and order needed items.

Risk: 41.0%AI: 65EstimatedTime: 1%

Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.

Risk: 30.4%AI: 53.45ObservedTime: 3%

Assemble meal trays with foods in accordance with patients' diets.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 45EstimatedTime: 1%

Add cutlery, napkins, food, and other items to trays on assembly lines in hospitals, cafeterias, airline kitchens, and similar establishments.

Risk: 53.0%AI: 50EstimatedTime: 1%

Use manual or electric appliances to clean, peel, slice, and trim foods.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 2%

Distribute menus to hospital patients, collect diet sheets, and deliver food trays and snacks to nursing units or directly to patients.

Risk: 53.0%AI: 50EstimatedTime: 1%

Scrape leftovers from dishes into garbage containers.

Risk: 47.0%AI: 35EstimatedTime: 1%

Stir and strain soups and sauces.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 45EstimatedTime: 1%

Load dishes, glasses, and tableware into dishwashing machines.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 1%

Butcher and clean fowl, fish, poultry, and shellfish to prepare for cooking or serving.

Risk: 13.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 1%

Prepare and serve a variety of beverages such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks.

Risk: 63.0%AI: 75EstimatedTime: 1%

Make special dressings and sauces as condiments for sandwiches.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 45EstimatedTime: 1%

Mix ingredients for green salads, molded fruit salads, vegetable salads, and pasta salads.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 45%

Protective Factors

Total protective discount: 26.3%

Essential Soft Skills

Traits that are hard for AI to replicate

Self ControlCooperationIntegritySocial OrientationAttention to DetailDependabilityInitiativeLeadershipPersistenceConcern for OthersStress ToleranceAchievement/Effort

Wage & Employment (2024)

Median Wage

$34,220

per year

Mean Wage

$33,940

per year

Employment

889K

workers

Wage Range

$23,490 - $44,260

10th - 90th pct

Wage Distribution

$23,490Median: $34,220$44,260
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

Cooks, Restaurant

32%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $36,830

Higher risk than 48% of other occupations

Waiters and Waitresses

34%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $33,760

Higher risk than 61% of other occupations

Cooks, Short Order

34%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $35,620

Higher risk than 61% of other occupations

Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

34%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $32,670

Higher risk than 62% of other occupations

Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers

38%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $37,700

Higher risk than 74% of other occupations

Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

38%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $35,930

Higher risk than 75% of other occupations

Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

38%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $34,660

Higher risk than 76% of other occupations

Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food

43%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 89% of other occupations

Food Servers, Nonrestaurant

44%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $34,460

Higher risk than 90% 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. Food Preparation Workers professionals should diversify beyond them.

  • Information Ordering

    Information Ordering 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Leadership

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

  • Adaptability/Flexibility

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

  • Manual Dexterity

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

  • Service Orientation

    Service Orientation 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.

  • Critical Thinking

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

  • Monitoring

    Monitoring 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.

  • Writing

    Writing 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

+2.1

overall change

Checking for existing plan...