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.
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 Ordering 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.
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.
Memorization 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)
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
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
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Cybersecurity Fundamentals Path
by Pluralsight
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Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
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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.
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
How AI Impacts Each Task
31 tasks analyzed
Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.
Operate cash register, handle money, and give correct change.
Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.
Portion and wrap the food, or place it directly on plates for service to patrons.
Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers.
Prepare a variety of foods, such as meats, vegetables, or desserts, according to customers' orders or supervisors' instructions, following approved procedures.
Keep records of the quantities of food used.
Place food trays over food warmers for immediate service, or store them in refrigerated storage cabinets.
Package take-out foods or serve food to customers.
Stock cupboards and refrigerators, and tend salad bars and buffet meals.
Wash, peel, and cut various foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to prepare for cooking or serving.
Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.
Vacuum dining area and sweep and mop kitchen floor.
Distribute food to waiters and waitresses to serve to customers.
Cut, slice or grind meat, poultry, and seafood to prepare for cooking.
Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.
Weigh or measure ingredients.
Receive and store food supplies, equipment, and utensils in refrigerators, cupboards, and other storage areas.
Inform supervisors when equipment is not working properly and when food and supplies are getting low, and order needed items.
Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.
Assemble meal trays with foods in accordance with patients' diets.
Add cutlery, napkins, food, and other items to trays on assembly lines in hospitals, cafeterias, airline kitchens, and similar establishments.
Use manual or electric appliances to clean, peel, slice, and trim foods.
Distribute menus to hospital patients, collect diet sheets, and deliver food trays and snacks to nursing units or directly to patients.
Scrape leftovers from dishes into garbage containers.
Stir and strain soups and sauces.
Load dishes, glasses, and tableware into dishwashing machines.
Butcher and clean fowl, fish, poultry, and shellfish to prepare for cooking or serving.
Prepare and serve a variety of beverages such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks.
Make special dressings and sauces as condiments for sandwiches.
Mix ingredients for green salads, molded fruit salads, vegetable salads, and pasta salads.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Operate cash register, handle money, and give correct change. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 1% | |
| Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage. | 59.6Observed | 56.8% | 3% | |
| Portion and wrap the food, or place it directly on plates for service to patrons. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers. | 97Estimated | 88.0% | 1% | |
| Prepare a variety of foods, such as meats, vegetables, or desserts, according to customers' orders or supervisors' instructions, following approved procedures. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 5% | |
| Keep records of the quantities of food used. | 37.5Observed | 64.2% | 1% | |
| Place food trays over food warmers for immediate service, or store them in refrigerated storage cabinets. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 2% | |
| Package take-out foods or serve food to customers. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 2% | |
| Stock cupboards and refrigerators, and tend salad bars and buffet meals. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 2% | |
| Wash, peel, and cut various foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to prepare for cooking or serving. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 5% | |
| Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 2% | |
| Vacuum dining area and sweep and mop kitchen floor. | 65Estimated | 59.0% | 1% | |
| Distribute food to waiters and waitresses to serve to customers. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 1% | |
| Cut, slice or grind meat, poultry, and seafood to prepare for cooking. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 2% | |
| Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 1% | |
| Weigh or measure ingredients. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 1% | |
| Receive and store food supplies, equipment, and utensils in refrigerators, cupboards, and other storage areas. | 50.8Observed | 53.3% | 2% | |
| Inform supervisors when equipment is not working properly and when food and supplies are getting low, and order needed items. | 65Estimated | 41.0% | 1% | |
| Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items. | 53.45Observed | 30.4% | 3% | |
| Assemble meal trays with foods in accordance with patients' diets. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 1% | |
| Add cutlery, napkins, food, and other items to trays on assembly lines in hospitals, cafeterias, airline kitchens, and similar establishments. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 1% | |
| Use manual or electric appliances to clean, peel, slice, and trim foods. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 2% | |
| Distribute menus to hospital patients, collect diet sheets, and deliver food trays and snacks to nursing units or directly to patients. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 1% | |
| Scrape leftovers from dishes into garbage containers. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 1% | |
| Stir and strain soups and sauces. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 1% | |
| Load dishes, glasses, and tableware into dishwashing machines. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 1% | |
| Butcher and clean fowl, fish, poultry, and shellfish to prepare for cooking or serving. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 1% | |
| Prepare and serve a variety of beverages such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks. | 75Estimated | 63.0% | 1% | |
| Make special dressings and sauces as condiments for sandwiches. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 1% | |
| Mix ingredients for green salads, molded fruit salads, vegetable salads, and pasta salads. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 45% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 26.3%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
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
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Alternate Career Paths
See all transitionsCooks, Restaurant
32%Median salary: $36,830
Higher risk than 48% of other occupations
Waiters and Waitresses
34%Median salary: $33,760
Higher risk than 61% of other occupations
Cooks, Short Order
34%Median salary: $35,620
Higher risk than 61% of other occupations
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
34%Median salary: $32,670
Higher risk than 62% of other occupations
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers
38%Median salary: $37,700
Higher risk than 74% of other occupations
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
38%Median salary: $35,930
Higher risk than 75% of other occupations
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
38%Median salary: $34,660
Higher risk than 76% of other occupations
Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
43%Higher risk than 89% of other occupations
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
44%Median salary: $34,460
Higher risk than 90% of other occupations
Cooks, Fast Food
46%Median salary: $30,160
Higher risk than 93% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
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
overall change