Cooks, private household
SOC Code: 35-2013
Cooks, private household carries a 33% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $44,530 and +5.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 34,200 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 33% AI exposure, Cooks, private household sits 4 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 41% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Cooks, private household sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Cooks, private household has ai exposure of 33%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Cooks, private household vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Cooks, private household is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Cooks, private household (SOC 35-2013) carries an AI exposure score of 33%, placing it in the Medium 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 below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 34,200 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +5.1% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $44,530, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Postsecondary nondegree award, plus Less than 5 years 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, private household. 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. Peel, wash, trim, and cook vegetables and meats, and bake breads and pastries.
- 2. Cool, package, label, and freeze foods for later consumption and provide instructions for reheating.
- 3. Plan menus according to employers' needs and diet restrictions.
- 4. Shop for or order food and kitchen supplies and equipment.
- 5. Prepare meals in private homes according to employers' recipes or tastes, handling all meals for the family and possibly for other household staff.
- 6. Keep records pertaining to menus, finances, and other business-related issues.
- 7. Stock, organize, and clean kitchens and cooking utensils.
- 8. Direct the operation and organization of kitchens and all food-related activities, including the presentation and serving of food.
- 9. Specialize in preparing fancy dishes or food for special diets.
- 10. Plan and prepare food for parties, holiday meals, luncheons, special functions, and other social events.
Key Skills Required
- Critical Thinking
- Service Orientation
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Time Management
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Food Production
- Sales and Marketing
- Administration and Management
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Economics and Accounting
- Education and Training
- Administrative
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Cooks, private household?
Cooks, private household has an AI exposure score of 33%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Cooks, private household?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Cooks, private household is projected to grow by 5.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 34,200 workers.
What skills are needed for Cooks, private household?
Key skills for Cooks, private household include Critical Thinking, Service Orientation, Reading Comprehension, and others. Typical entry-level education is Postsecondary nondegree award.
How much do Cooks, private household earn?
The median annual wage for Cooks, private household is $44,530, 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, private household?
The typical entry-level education for Cooks, private household is Postsecondary nondegree award. Employers generally expect Less than 5 years of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Cooks, private household?
Cooks, private household 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
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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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).