Food preparation and serving related workers

This occupational group includes chefs, cooks, bartenders, 

dishwashers, waiters, waitresses, food servers, hosts, and 

hostesses.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make 

decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2023, more than basic people skills were required for 25.8 

percent of food preparation and serving related workers, and basic 

people skills were required for 74.2 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of food preparation and serving related workers with cognitive and mental 

requirements, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Pace: Pause control 22.6 77.4

Interaction with general public 85.0 15.0

Working around crowds 5.5 94.5

Telework <0.5 >99.5

Work review: Supervising others 9.0 91.0

Work review: Presence of supervisor 90.3 9.7

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and 

experience 

requirements

The minimum level of formal 

education required, 

credentials necessary, onthe-job training, and prior 

work experience necessary 

for average performance in 

jobs.

In 2023, credentials were 

required for 37.5 percent of 

food preparation and 

serving related workers. 

Prior work experience was 

required for 24.0 percent 

and on-the-job training was 

required for 95.5 percent.

No minimum education was required for 78.3 percent of food preparation and serving related workers.
Occupational Requirements Survey ●www.bls.gov/ors ●orsinfo@bls.gov ●202.691.6199

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete hazards or 

difficulties that are in the vicinity of where 

jobs’ critical tasks are performed.

In 2023, 65.2 percent of food preparation and 

serving related workers were not exposed to 

extreme cold, and 76.1 percent were not 

exposed to extreme heat. Wetness was not 

present for 9.0 percent, greater than 99.5 

percent were not exposed to heavy 

vibrations, and 66.5 percent were not 

exposed to the outdoors.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities required to 

perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, 

in some cases, duration of these activities 

are published.

In 2023, reaching at or below the shoulder 

was required for 96.1 percent of food 

preparation and serving related workers 

and was not required for 3.9 percent. For 

10.1 percent of workers, reaching at or 

below the shoulder was seldom 

performed, for 54.4 percent reaching at or 

below the shoulder occurred occasionally, 

29.1 percent frequently, and for 2.5 

percent reaching at or below the shoulder 

occurred constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required for 78.6 percent of food preparation and serving related workers and was 

not required for 21.4 percent.

The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 1.4 percent of food preparation and serving 

related workers. On average, workers spent 2.8 percent of the workday sitting and 97.2 percent of the workday 

standing.

Table 2. Percentage of food preparation and serving related workers with physical demands, 

2023

Requirement Yes No

Choice of sitting or standing 1.4 98.6

Driving 1.2 98.8

Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs 8.1 91.9

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey