As of June 2026, Food Preparation Workers has an AI-exposure score of 41/100 (Moderate 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.
Food Preparation Workers
More exposed than 11% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$35,320. About 148,000 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 you compare to similar Food Service roles
Your tasks, by AI exposure
No automatable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as durable (85%).
- Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers.
- Inform supervisors when equipment is not working properly and when food and supplies are getting low, and order needed items.
- Assemble meal trays with foods in accordance with patients' diets.
- Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.
- Weigh or measure ingredients.
- Portion and wrap food, or place it directly on plates for service to patrons.
- Place food trays over food warmers for immediate service, or store them in refrigerated storage cabinets.
- Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.
- Load dishes, glasses, and tableware into dishwashing machines.
- Use manual or electric appliances to clean, peel, slice, and trim foods.
- Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.
- Wash, peel, and cut various foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to prepare for cooking or serving.
- Add cutlery, napkins, food, and other items to trays on assembly lines in hospitals, cafeterias, airline kitchens, and similar establishments.
- Stock cupboards and refrigerators, and tend salad bars and buffet meals.
- Vacuum dining area and sweep and mop kitchen floor.
- Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.
- Prepare and serve a variety of beverages, such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks.
- Mix ingredients for green salads, molded fruit salads, vegetable salads, and pasta salads.
- Prepare a variety of foods, such as meats, vegetables, or desserts, according to customers' orders or supervisors' instructions, following approved procedures.
- Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.
Safer adjacent roles
Your AI-Safe Career Report
Every task scored with what to do about it · 5–10 safer roles with salary, demand & reachability · skill-gap map · a 30/60/90-day roadmap · plus a résumé & LinkedIn rewrite · PDF.
Grounded in O*NET + the Anthropic Economic Index + BLS — personalized to your role.
Workers with AI skills earn a roughly 62% wage premium — adapting pays. — PwC Global AI Jobs Barometer, 2026
Instant delivery — your personalized report is ready about a minute after checkout.
Scan your own job
Food Preparation Workers — median pay by US state (BLS OEWS, USD)
Median annual wage, in USD. US national: US$35,320. More states are being added.