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.
Cooks, Short Order
SOC: 35-2015 O*NET: 35-2015.00
Median Salary
$35,620
per year
Job Growth
📉 -5.6%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
20.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Cooks, Short Order do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$23,770
10th percentile
Early Career
$30,160
25th percentile
Median
$35,620
50th percentile
Experienced
$39,990
75th percentile
Top Earners
$46,010
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$23,770
25th
$30,160
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$35,620
Mean: $35,660
75th
$39,990
90th
$46,010
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $22,240 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $30,160 and $39,990
- •Salary spread is 27.6% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 150,420 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:151,100
Top Industries
Food Services and Drinking Places81.5%
Restaurants and Other Eating Places70%
Full-Service Restaurants24.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-5.6%
Annual Openings:20,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)151,100
Current
2034 (Projected)142,700
-5.6%
-8,400
Employment Change
-5.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Cooks, Short Order professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
34,490 jobs$39,0101.96x
Ohio
6,920 jobs$28,4001.28x
Georgia
6,240 jobs$22,1601.32x
Florida
5,210 jobs$34,3200.54x
Texas
4,150 jobs$28,7700.31x
Massachusetts
4,100 jobs$44,7701.15x
Louisiana
3,920 jobs$27,0502.10x
Oregon
3,240 jobs$35,6201.69x
North Carolina
3,000 jobs$30,5300.63x
Wisconsin
2,960 jobs$27,3001.04x
Tennessee
2,890 jobs$29,0000.90x
New Hampshire
2,840 jobs$29,0004.27x
Maryland
2,670 jobs$35,2801.00x
Michigan
2,390 jobs$30,6700.56x
Mississippi
2,360 jobs$25,7102.09x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Time Management
88%
#3
Active Listening
76%
#4
Coordination
64%
#5
Speaking
52%
#6
Service Orientation
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Time Management
intermediate4.4
88%
Active Listening
intermediate3.8
76%
Coordination
intermediate3.2
64%
Speaking
basic2.6
52%
Service Orientation
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance88%
skills
4.4/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance76%
skills
3.8/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance64%
skills
3.2/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance52%
skills
2.6/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Tour Guides and Escorts75%
5 shared skills
Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers71%
5 shared skills
Meter Readers, Utilities71%
5 shared skills
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service71%
5 shared skills
Office Clerks, General67%
5 shared skills
Parking Enforcement Workers67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Time Management
Learn on the Job:
- →Coordination
- →Speaking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Time Management
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Cooks, Short Order
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
Technology Stack
Technology stack information is being compiled for this career.
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
11
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (8)Planning & Development (1)Operations & Execution (2)
1
Clean food preparation equipment, work areas, and counters or tables.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Plan work on orders so that items served together are finished at the same time.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Grill, cook, and fry foods such as french fries, eggs, and pancakes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Take orders from customers and cook foods requiring short preparation times, according to customer requirements.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Grill and garnish hamburgers or other meats, such as steaks and chops.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Complete orders from steam tables, placing food on plates and serving customers at tables or counters.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Order supplies and stock them on shelves.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Accept payments, and make change or write charge slips as necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Restock kitchen supplies, rotate food, and stamp the time and date on food in coolers.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Perform food preparation tasks, such as making sandwiches, carving meats, making soups or salads, baking breads or desserts, and brewing coffee or tea.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •64% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Cooks, Short Order
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Cooks, Short Order professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value independence
RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Cooks, Short Order
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.49
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.16
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.03
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.96
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.89
Concern for Others
ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level3.83
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.5
Dependability
4.2
Cooperation
4.0
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Integrity
3.9
Concern for Others
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Initiative
3.7
Analytical Thinking
3.6
Persistence
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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