Cooks, institution and cafeteria
SOC Code: 35-2012
Cooks, institution and cafeteria carries a 41% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $36,450 and +2.0% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 466,100 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, institution and cafeteria (SOC 35-2012) 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 466,100 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +2.0% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $36,450, 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, institution and cafeteria. 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. Monitor and record food temperatures to ensure food safety.
- 2. Cook foodstuffs according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, or numbers of portions to be served.
- 3. Rotate and store food supplies.
- 4. Wash pots, pans, dishes, utensils, or other cooking equipment.
- 5. Apportion and serve food to facility residents, employees, or patrons.
- 6. Clean and inspect galley equipment, kitchen appliances, and work areas to ensure cleanliness and functional operation.
- 7. Clean, cut, and cook meat, fish, or poultry.
- 8. Monitor use of government food commodities to ensure that proper procedures are followed.
- 9. Direct activities of one or more workers who assist in preparing and serving meals.
- 10. Plan menus that are varied, nutritionally balanced, and appetizing, taking advantage of foods in season and local availability.
Key Skills Required
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Service Orientation
- Operations Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
- Complex Problem Solving
Knowledge Areas
- English Language
- Food Production
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
- Production and Processing
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- Computers and Electronics
- Personnel and Human Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Cooks, institution and cafeteria?
Cooks, institution and cafeteria 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, institution and cafeteria?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Cooks, institution and cafeteria is projected to grow by 2.0% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 466,100 workers.
What skills are needed for Cooks, institution and cafeteria?
Key skills for Cooks, institution and cafeteria include Speaking, Monitoring, Service Orientation, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Cooks, institution and cafeteria earn?
The median annual wage for Cooks, institution and cafeteria is $36,450, 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, institution and cafeteria?
The typical entry-level education for Cooks, institution and cafeteria 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, institution and cafeteria?
Cooks, institution and cafeteria 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).