Food Preparation Workers
SOC: 35-2021.00 · Job Zone 1 (Little or no preparation)
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
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
Task Breakdown
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 | Category | AI Capability | Risk Score | Time % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | - | - | - |
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