### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Food Preparation Workers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			food preparation workers imageFood preparation workers prepare ingredients for dishes.							
						Quick Facts:     Food Preparation Workers2023     Median Pay
            						$32,420     per year
										$15.59     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    No formal educational credentialWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Short-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    931,800Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    -5% (Decline)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    -44,800What Food Preparation Workers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Food preparation workers perform a variety of tasks other than cooking, such as slicing meat and brewing coffee.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Food preparation workers are employed in places where food is made or served, such as cafeterias, grocery stores, hospitals, and schools. Part-time work is common. Work schedules may vary to include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, or holidays.
            
                                                How to Become a Food Preparation Worker
                                                
                        
Food preparation workers typically do not need a formal educational credential or previous work experience to enter the occupation. They learn through on-the-job training that usually lasts several weeks.
            
                        Pay
                        																																					    														The median hourly wage for food preparation workers was $15.59 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of food preparation workers is projected to decline							 5 percent from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite declining  employment, about 157,100 openings for food preparation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food preparation workers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food preparation workers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about food preparation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Food Preparation Workers Do 
            

			Food preparation workersFood preparation workers clean and sanitize work areas.			
Food preparation workers perform a variety of tasks other than cooking. Their duties include preparing cold foods, slicing meat, peeling and cutting vegetables, brewing coffee or tea, and doing many other food service tasks.
Duties
Food preparation workers typically do the following:
Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, and dishes
Weigh or measure ingredients, such as meats and liquids
Prepare fruit and vegetables for cooking
Cut meats, poultry, and seafood and prepare them for cooking
Mix ingredients for salads
Keep food in suitable containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage
Take and record the temperature of food and food storage areas
Place food trays over food warmers for immediate serviceFood preparation workers help cooks and other kitchen staff by preparing ingredients for dishes. Common duties include slicing and dicing fruits, vegetables, and meat; making salads, sandwiches, and other cold food items; and keeping salad bars and buffet tables stocked and clean. They usually work under the direction of cooks, chefs, or food service managers.
Food preparation workers also retrieve pots and pans, clean and store kitchen equipment, and unload and store food supplies. When needed, they retrieve food and equipment for cooks and chefs. In some kitchens, food preparation workers use a variety of commercial kitchen equipment, such as commercial dishwashers, blenders, slicers, or grinders.
In addition, these workers may stock and use soda machines, tea brewers, and coffeemakers to prepare beverages for customers.
 Work Environment
			Food preparation workersFood preparation workers wear gloves for safe food handling.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Food preparation workers held about 931,800 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of food preparation workers were as follows:
        Restaurants and other eating places
                54%Grocery and specialty food retailers
                19Healthcare and social assistance
                6Special food services
                5Educational services; state, local, and private
                3Food preparation workers held about 886,700 jobs in 2019. The largest employers of food preparation workers were as follows:
The work is often strenuous. Food preparation workers may stand for hours at a time while cleaning or preparing ingredients. Some are required to move heavy pots or food supplies.
The fast-paced environment in kitchens may be hectic, especially during peak dining hours. Ensuring that dishes are prepared properly and on time may be stressful.
Injuries and Illnesses
Food preparation areas in kitchens have potential safety hazards, such as hot ovens and slippery floors. As a result, food preparation workers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. The most common risks include minor slips, falls, cuts, and burns. To reduce these risks, workers often wear gloves, aprons, and nonslip shoes.
Work Schedules
Part-time work is common for food preparation workers. Work schedules may vary to include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, or holidays.
Those in school cafeterias may have more regular schedules and may work only during the academic year, usually 9 or 10 months. In establishments that offer seasonal employment, food preparation workers may be hired for only a few months each year.
 How to Become a Food Preparation Worker

			food preparation workers imageFood preparation workers typically learn their skills on the job from an experienced worker.			
Food preparation workers typically do not need a formal educational credential or previous work experience to enter the occupation. They learn their job tasks through on-the-job training.
Education
There typically are no formal education requirements for becoming a food preparation worker. However, employers may require or prefer that candidates have some high school education or a diploma.
Training
Food preparation workers typically get short-term on-the-job training, which usually lasts several weeks. Trainees typically learn basic kitchen duties from an experienced worker. Their training also may include basic sanitation and workplace safety regulations, as well as instructions on how to handle and prepare food.
Advancement
Opportunities for food preparation workers to advance depend on their training and work experience. Food preparation workers may advance to become assistant cooks or line cooks as they learn basic cooking skills.
Important Qualities
***Dexterity.*** Food preparation workers must be able to quickly and safely chop vegetables, cut meat, and perform other tasks with sharp knives.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Food preparation workers must work well with kitchen staff to ensure that dishes are prepared properly and on time.
***Listening skills.*** Food preparation workers must understand customers’ orders and follow directions from cooks, chefs, or food service managers.
***Physical stamina.*** Food preparation workers stand on their feet for long periods while they prepare food, clean work areas, or lift pots from the stove.
***Physical strength.*** Food preparation workers may need to move heavy food supply items and kitchen equipment.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Food Preparation WorkersMedian hourly wages, May 2023Total, all occupations$23.11   Cooks and food preparation workers$16.36   Food preparation workers$15.59Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median hourly wage for food preparation workers was $15.59 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $11.04, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $20.67.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median hourly wages for food preparation workers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Educational services; state, local, and private
                $17.01Grocery and specialty food retailers
                16.42Special food services
                16.38Healthcare and social assistance
                15.59Restaurants and other eating places
                14.88Part-time work is common for food preparation workers. Work schedules may vary to include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, or holidays.
Those in school cafeterias may have more regular hours and may work only during the academic year, usually 9 or 10 months. In establishments that offer seasonal employment, food preparation workers may be hired for only a few months each year.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Food Preparation WorkersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Cooks and food preparation workers4%  Total, all occupations3%  Food preparation workers-5%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of food preparation workers is projected to decline				 5 percent from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite declining  employment, about 157,100 openings for food preparation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Restaurants and cafeterias may customize their food orders from wholesalers and distributors in an effort to lower costs. For example, they may order prewashed, precut, or preseasoned ingredients, which is expected to reduce the need for food preparation workers. Additionally, some establishments prefer to employ fast food and counter workers, who both prepare and serve food to customers, which also may reduce the need for food preparation workers.
			

                        Employment projections data for     food preparation workers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Food preparation workers**
			35-2021
			931,800
			887,000
			-5
			-44,800
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Food preparation workers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of food preparation workers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Bakers**
            Bakers mix ingredients according to recipes in order to make breads, pastries, and other baked goods.
            No formal educational credential
            $34,950**Butchers**
            Butchers cut, trim, and package meat for retail sale.
            No formal educational credential
            $37,650**Chefs and Head Cooks**
            Chefs and head cooks oversee the daily food preparation at restaurants and other places where food is served.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $58,920**Cooks**
            Cooks season and prepare foods, including soups, salads, entrees, and desserts.
            See How to Become One
            $34,320**Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers**
            Food and beverage serving and related workers take and prepare orders, clear tables, and do other tasks associated with providing food and drink to customers.
            No formal educational credential
            $29,710**Bartenders**
            Bartenders mix drinks and serve them directly to customers or through wait staff.
            No formal educational credential
            $31,510
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about job opportunities, contact local employers and local offices of the state employment service.
For more information about food preparation workers, visit
National Restaurant Association

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Food Preparation Workers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Food Preparation Workers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/food-preparation-workers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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