Fast food and counter workers
SOC Code: 35-3023
Fast food and counter workers carries a 38% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $30,480 and +6.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 3,796,000 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
Fast food and counter workers (SOC 35-3023) carries an AI exposure score of 38%, 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 3,796,000 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +6.1% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $30,480, 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 Fast food and counter workers. 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. Receive and process customer payments.
- 2. Prepare or serve hot or cold beverages, such as coffee, espresso drinks, blended coffees, or teas.
- 3. Take customer orders and convey them to other employees for preparation.
- 4. Clean or sanitize work areas, utensils, or equipment.
- 5. Accept payment from customers, and make change as necessary.
- 6. Serve customers in eating places that specialize in fast service and inexpensive carry-out food.
- 7. Perform personnel activities, such as supervising and training employees.
- 8. Request and record customer orders, and compute bills, using cash registers, multi-counting machines, or pencil and paper.
- 9. Describe menu items to customers, or suggest products that might appeal to them.
- 10. Clean service or seating areas.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Service Orientation
- Social Perceptiveness
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Coordination
- Critical Thinking
- Persuasion
- Operation and Control
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Sales and Marketing
- Food Production
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Communications and Media
- Public Safety and Security
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Fast food and counter workers?
Fast food and counter workers has an AI exposure score of 38%, 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 Fast food and counter workers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Fast food and counter workers is projected to grow by 6.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 3,796,000 workers.
What skills are needed for Fast food and counter workers?
Key skills for Fast food and counter workers include Active Listening, Speaking, Service Orientation, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Fast food and counter workers earn?
The median annual wage for Fast food and counter workers is $30,480, 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 Fast food and counter workers?
The typical entry-level education for Fast food and counter workers 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 Fast food and counter workers?
Fast food and counter workers 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.
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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).