Operate or tend cooking equipment, such as steam cooking vats, deep fry cookers, pressure cookers, kettles, and boilers, to prepare food products.
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
SOC: 51-3093 O*NET: 51-3093.00
Median Salary
$40,550
per year
Job Growth
📉 0.6%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
4.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Operate or tend cooking equipment, such as steam cooking vats, deep fry cookers, pressure cookers, kettles, and boilers, to prepare food products.
What does a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$30,540
10th percentile
Early Career
$35,310
25th percentile
Median
$40,550
50th percentile
Experienced
$47,420
75th percentile
Top Earners
$54,170
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$30,540
25th
$35,310
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$40,550
Mean: $41,930
75th
$47,420
90th
$54,170
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $23,630 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $35,310 and $47,420
- •Salary spread is 29.9% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 27,660 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:29,700
Top Industries
Manufacturing81.3%
Food Manufacturing80.7%
Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing20.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+0.6%
Annual Openings:4,400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)29,700
Current
2034 (Projected)29,900
+0.6%
+200
Employment Change
+0.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 40 locations
Texas
2,390 jobs$33,1500.96x
California
2,340 jobs$44,7200.72x
Tennessee
1,730 jobs$45,0402.95x
Pennsylvania
1,350 jobs$38,5701.25x
Ohio
1,330 jobs$38,7401.34x
Wisconsin
1,050 jobs$40,3602.01x
Iowa
1,000 jobs$45,9103.57x
New York
960 jobs$46,3600.56x
Illinois
920 jobs$42,8900.85x
Florida
880 jobs$33,2800.50x
Idaho
780 jobs$46,4705.15x
Virginia
730 jobs$36,8601.00x
Michigan
720 jobs$48,0700.92x
Kansas
710 jobs$45,5802.76x
Missouri
700 jobs$35,9401.34x
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
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Monitoring
88%
#3
Reading Comprehension
76%
#4
Operation and Control
64%
#5
Critical Thinking
52%
#6
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Monitoring
intermediate4.4
88%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.8
76%
Operation and Control
intermediate3.2
64%
Critical Thinking
basic2.6
52%
Active Listening
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:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance88%
skills
4.4/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance76%
abilities
3.8/5.0
Operation and Control
intermediateImportance64%
abilities
3.2/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance52%
abilities
2.6/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders100%
5 shared skills
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic83%
5 shared skills
Tire Builders83%
5 shared skills
Etchers and Engravers75%
5 shared skills
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders75%
5 shared skills
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders75%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Operation and Control
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Reading Comprehension
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 Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
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
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡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 high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)General Responsibilities (12)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Record production and test data, such as processing steps, temperature and steam readings, cooking time, batches processed, and test results.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Listen for malfunction alarms, and shut down equipment and notify supervisors when necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Collect and examine product samples during production to test them for quality, color, content, consistency, viscosity, acidity, or specific gravity.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Observe gauges, dials, and product characteristics, and adjust controls to maintain appropriate temperature, pressure, and flow of ingredients.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Read work orders, recipes, or formulas to determine cooking times and temperatures, and ingredient specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Clean, wash, and sterilize equipment and cooking area, using water hoses, cleaning or sterilizing solutions, or rinses.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Set temperature, pressure, and time controls, and start conveyers, machines, or pumps.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Tend or operate and control equipment, such as kettles, cookers, vats and tanks, and boilers, to cook ingredients or prepare products for further processing.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Measure or weigh ingredients, using scales or measuring containers.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Admit required amounts of water, steam, cooking oils, or compressed air into equipment, such as by opening water valves to cool mixtures to the desired consistency.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •41% 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 Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
💡 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?
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.49
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.96
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.83
Attention to Detail
ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level3.78
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.76
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.71
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Self-Control
4.0
Integrity
3.8
Attention to Detail
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.8
Cooperation
3.7
Initiative
3.7
Leadership
3.6
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.5
Concern for Others
3.5
💡 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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