As of July 2026,
Cooks, Short Order has an AI-exposure score of 43/100
(Moderate exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index. This is an estimate of task
exposure, not a prediction of job loss.
Score inputs for this role:
This role starts from O*NET 29.1 occupational descriptors and is empirically grounded by Penn/OpenAI GPTs are GPTs study, Anthropic Economic Index (June 26, 2026), Felten, Raj and Seamans AIOE index. BLS labor-market figures are separate context, not score inputs.
Cooks, Short Order
More exposed than 15% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$35,880. About 20,600 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.
How this role compares to similar Food Service roles
What this role usually involves
Prepare and cook to order a variety of foods that require only a short preparation time. May take orders from customers and serve patrons at counters or tables.
Broad guidance for this preparation level; exact requirements vary by role and employer.
Source: O*NET 29.1 exact occupation - Cooks, Short Order, SOC 35-2015.00. Context describes the role; the AI-exposure score remains a separate task-exposure estimate.
Cooks, Short Order tasks, by AI exposure
No automatable tasks identified for this role - its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as durable (73%).
- Plan work on orders so that items served together are finished at the same time.
- Order supplies and stock them on shelves.
- Complete orders from steam tables, placing food on plates and serving customers at tables or counters.
- Grill, cook, and fry foods such as french fries, eggs, and pancakes.
We analyzed all 11 Cooks, Short Order tasks - 3 augmentable and 8 durable. The full task map - every task with exactly what to do about each - is in your Career Report.
Your report unlocks three concrete artifacts
Every task scored with what to automate, augment, or protect.
Related roles with exposure deltas, salary, demand, and reachability. Lower-exposure options appear only when the data supports them.
A keepable roadmap plus resume and LinkedIn repositioning.
Grounded in O*NET-linked or curated role data, with Penn, Anthropic Economic Index, and AIOE signals where matched. BLS labor-market context is separate - not generic advice.
Adjacent career paths
This role is already among lower-exposure work. The adjacent paths below are shown for opportunity and skill transfer, not as lower-exposure alternatives.
Plan work on orders so that items served together are finished at the same time.
Your AI-Safe Career Report
Every task scored with what to do about it; adjacent paths with honest exposure deltas, salary, demand, and reachability; a skill-gap map; a 30/60/90-day roadmap; Agent Reality Check; plus a résumé and LinkedIn rewrite and professional PDF.
Grounded in O*NET-linked or curated role data, with Penn, Anthropic Economic Index, and AIOE signals where matched. BLS labor-market context is separate.
Workers with AI skills earn a roughly 62% wage premium - adapting pays. - PwC Global AI Jobs Barometer, 2026
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