Food Preparation Workers

SOC Code: 35-2021

Food Preparation Workerss clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware. This career typically requires moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year). With an AI-proof score of 82.0/100, this role has high resilience to automation. Key skills include Active Listening, Service Orientation, Time Management.

AI-Proof Score: 82.0Very High
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Median Salary

$34,220

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Job Growth

-3.4%

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Training Time

Moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year)

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Job Zone

Zone 2 / 5

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Training Cost

~$5,000

Key Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Service Orientation
  • Time Management
  • Speaking
  • Coordination
  • Critical Thinking
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Monitoring
  • Judgment and Decision Making

Common Tasks

  • Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.
  • Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.
  • Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers.
  • Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.
  • Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.

Why AI-Proof?

  • Requires hands-on physical presence and dexterity
  • Demands human empathy, judgment, and trust
  • Operates in unpredictable, variable environments
  • Social and regulatory barriers to full automation