Cooks, fast food
SOC Code: 35-2011
Cooks, fast food carries a 41% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $30,160 and -13.5% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 669,500 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Cooks, fast food (SOC 35-2011) carries an AI exposure score of 41%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 669,500 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -13.5% change through 2034 — a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $30,160, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Cooks, fast food. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Order and take delivery of supplies.
- 2. Cook the exact number of items ordered by each customer, working on several different orders simultaneously.
- 3. Prepare specialty foods, such as pizzas, fish and chips, sandwiches, or tacos, following specific methods that usually require short preparation time.
- 4. Operate large-volume cooking equipment, such as grills, deep-fat fryers, or griddles.
- 5. Wash, cut, and prepare foods designated for cooking.
- 6. Prepare and serve beverages, such as coffee or fountain drinks.
- 7. Clean food preparation areas, cooking surfaces, and utensils.
- 8. Read food order slips or receive verbal instructions as to food required by patron, and prepare and cook food according to instructions.
- 9. Serve orders to customers at windows, counters, or tables.
- 10. Clean, stock, and restock workstations and display cases.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Service Orientation
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Time Management
- Active Learning
Knowledge Areas
- Administration and Management
- Transportation
- Communications and Media
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Economics and Accounting
- Sales and Marketing
- Production and Processing
- Computers and Electronics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Cooks, fast food?
Cooks, fast food has an AI exposure score of 41%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Cooks, fast food?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Cooks, fast food is projected to decline by 13.5% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 669,500 workers.
What skills are needed for Cooks, fast food?
Key skills for Cooks, fast food include Active Listening, Service Orientation, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Cooks, fast food earn?
The median annual wage for Cooks, fast food is $30,160, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Cooks, fast food?
The typical entry-level education for Cooks, fast food is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Cooks, fast food?
Cooks, fast food roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
Related Occupations
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).