Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
Food Preparation Workers
SOC: 35-2021 O*NET: 35-2021.00
Median Salary
$34,220
per year
Job Growth
📉 -3.4%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
148
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
What does a Food Preparation Workers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$23,490
10th percentile
Early Career
$28,740
25th percentile
Median
$34,220
50th percentile
Experienced
$37,540
75th percentile
Top Earners
$44,260
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$23,490
25th
$28,740
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$34,220
Mean: $33,940
75th
$37,540
90th
$44,260
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $20,770 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $28,740 and $37,540
- •Salary spread is 25.7% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 888,770 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:902,700
Top Industries
Food Services and Drinking Places56.2%
Restaurants and Other Eating Places49.8%
Retail Trade26.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-3.4%
Annual Openings:148,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)902,700
Current
2034 (Projected)871,800
-3.4%
-30,900
Employment Change
-3.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Food Preparation Workers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
106,040 jobs$28,6601.33x
California
98,950 jobs$38,1500.95x
Florida
67,030 jobs$35,1901.18x
New York
51,880 jobs$36,0300.94x
Illinois
29,320 jobs$34,1800.84x
Georgia
27,200 jobs$32,8900.97x
New Jersey
25,170 jobs$34,9101.03x
North Carolina
24,420 jobs$29,4100.86x
Minnesota
23,720 jobs$34,8201.41x
Tennessee
22,530 jobs$28,9801.19x
Washington
21,090 jobs$38,9501.03x
Pennsylvania
20,540 jobs$30,1500.59x
Wisconsin
19,940 jobs$32,8101.18x
Ohio
19,290 jobs$31,5900.61x
Virginia
16,170 jobs$31,5000.69x
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
Service Orientation
100%
#2
Time Management
70%
#3
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Service Orientation
advanced5.0
100%
Time Management
intermediate3.5
70%
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:
Service Orientation
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Cooks, Fast Food67%
2 shared skills
Tire Repairers and Changers60%
3 shared skills
Cooks, Short Order50%
3 shared skills
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers50%
2 shared skills
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant50%
2 shared skills
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners50%
2 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Service Orientation
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Service Orientation
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Service Orientation
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 Preparation Workers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
📚 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
OCCASIONAL
💡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
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (1)General Responsibilities (14)Management & Supervision (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)Training & Development (1)
1
Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Package take-out foods or serve food to customers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Portion and wrap food, or place it directly on plates for service to patrons.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision94% perform96%
4
Place food trays over food warmers for immediate service, or store them in refrigerated storage cabinets.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Weigh or measure ingredients.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Receive and store food supplies, equipment, and utensils in refrigerators, cupboards, and other storage areas.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Stock cupboards and refrigerators, and tend salad bars and buffet meals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Prepare and serve a variety of beverages, such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •33% 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 Preparation Workers
💡 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 Preparation Workers professionals typically have a RCS Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Food Preparation Workers
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.10
Dependability
ImportantDependability
Importance Level3.96
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.81
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.75
Initiative
ImportantInitiative
Importance Level3.73
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.65
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.1
Dependability
4.0
Self-Control
3.8
Independence
3.8
Initiative
3.7
Integrity
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
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Food Preparation Workers.
Browse Training Programs →