As of June 2026, Chefs and Head Cooks has an AI-exposure score of 54/100 (Elevated exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.

AI Exposure Score for

Chefs and Head Cooks

54/100
Elevated exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High

More exposed than 44% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$62,470. About 24,400 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).

Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.

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How you compare to similar Food Service roles

Chefs and Head Cooks (you)
54
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
56
Fast Food and Counter Workers
48
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
47
Baristas
47
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
47
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Your tasks, by AI exposure

Automatable
  • Record production or operational data on specified forms.
Augmentable
  • Monitor sanitation practices to ensure that employees follow standards and regulations.
  • Determine production schedules and staff requirements necessary to ensure timely delivery of services.
  • Estimate amounts and costs of required supplies, such as food and ingredients.
  • Order or requisition food or other supplies needed to ensure efficient operation.
  • Recruit and hire staff, such as cooks and other kitchen workers.
  • Meet with customers to discuss menus for special occasions, such as weddings, parties, or banquets.
  • Demonstrate new cooking techniques or equipment to staff.
  • Arrange for equipment purchases or repairs.
  • Coordinate planning, budgeting, or purchasing for all the food operations within establishments such as clubs, hotels, or restaurant chains.
  • Instruct cooks or other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, or presentation of food.
  • Analyze recipes to assign prices to menu items, based on food, labor, and overhead costs.
  • Determine how food should be presented and create decorative food displays.
  • Prepare and cook foods of all types, either on a regular basis or for special guests or functions.
  • Check the quantity and quality of received products.
  • Check the quality of raw or cooked food products to ensure that standards are met.
  • Inspect supplies, equipment, or work areas to ensure conformance to established standards.
  • Plan, direct, or supervise food preparation or cooking activities of multiple kitchens or restaurants in an establishment such as a restaurant chain, hospital, or hotel.
Durable
  • Collaborate with other personnel to plan and develop recipes or menus, taking into account such factors as seasonal availability of ingredients or the likely number of customers.
  • Supervise or coordinate activities of cooks or workers engaged in food preparation.

Safer adjacent roles

YOUR ROLE TODAY
Chefs and Head Cooks 54
→
Cooks, Restaurant 80% overlap42Cooks, Private Household 72% overlap41Bakers 64% overlap48
Cooks, Restaurant
80% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$37,390
42
Cooks, Private Household
72% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$47,940
41
Bakers
64% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$37,160
48
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
56% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$37,450
43
Cooks, Short Order
48% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$35,880
43
Food Service Managers
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$69,390
60
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$44,080
56
Food Batchmakers
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$42,290
55

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Important: This is an estimate of AI exposure, not a prediction that your job will disappear. It is designed to help you understand how your role may change and improve your career resilience.

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Chefs and Head Cooks — median pay by US state (BLS OEWS, USD)

New York: US$70,670California: US$64,500Texas: US$56,080

Median annual wage, in USD. US national: US$62,470. More states are being added.

More Food Service roles

First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers Cooks, Fast Food Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Cooks, Private Household Cooks, Restaurant Cooks, Short Order
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