As of June 2026, Fast Food and Counter Workers has an AI-exposure score of 48/100 (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.

AI Exposure Score for

Fast Food and Counter Workers

48/100
Moderate exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High

More exposed than 29% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$31,200. About 904,300 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

Fast Food and Counter Workers (you)
48
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
47
Baristas
47
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
47
Dishwashers
45
Cooks, Short Order
43
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Your tasks, by AI exposure

Automatable

No automatable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as durable (60%).

Augmentable
  • Monitor and order supplies or food items, and restock as necessary to maintain inventory.
  • Request and record customer orders, and compute bills, using cash registers, multi-counting machines, or pencil and paper.
  • Balance receipts and payments in cash registers.
  • Communicate with customers regarding orders, comments, and complaints.
  • Select food items from serving or storage areas and place them in dishes, on serving trays, or in take-out bags.
  • Notify kitchen personnel of shortages or special orders.
  • Accept payment from customers, and make change as necessary.
  • Wrap menu items such as sandwiches, hot entrees, and desserts for serving or for takeout.
Durable
  • Scrub and polish counters, steam tables, and other equipment, and clean glasses, dishes, and fountain equipment.
  • Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping, mopping, and washing dishes, to keep equipment and facilities sanitary.
  • Prepare daily food items, and cook simple foods and beverages, such as sandwiches, salads, soups, pizza, or coffee, using proper safety precautions and sanitary measures.
  • Collect and return dirty dishes to the kitchen for washing.
  • Wash dishes, glassware, and silverware after meals.
  • Clean and organize eating, service, and kitchen areas.
  • Brew coffee and tea, and fill containers with requested beverages.
  • Replenish foods at serving stations.
  • Prepare and serve cold drinks, frozen milk drinks, or desserts, using drink-dispensing, milkshake, or frozen-custard machines.
  • Serve customers in eating places that specialize in fast service and inexpensive carry-out food.
  • Serve food, beverages, or desserts to customers in such settings as take-out counters of restaurants or lunchrooms, business or industrial establishments, hotel rooms, and cars.
  • Perform personnel activities, such as supervising and training employees.

Safer adjacent roles

Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
80% skills overlap · Low exposure · ~US$33,980
35
Food Preparation Workers
72% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$35,320
41
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
64% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$35,360
47
Cooks, Short Order
56% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$35,880
43
Waiters and Waitresses
48% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$35,230
41
Baristas
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$31,200
47
Cooks, Restaurant
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$37,390
42
Cooks, Fast Food
40% skills overlap · Low exposure · ~US$30,890
38

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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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Fast Food and Counter Workers — median pay by US state (BLS OEWS, USD)

California: US$42,280New York: US$35,250Texas: US$27,740

Median annual wage, in USD. US national: US$31,200. More states are being added.

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