First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers
SOC Code: 35-1012
First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers carries a 42% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $42,010 and +6.0% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 1,215,000 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 42% AI exposure, First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers sits 5 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 73% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers has ai exposure of 42%. 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.
First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers 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
First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers (SOC 35-1012) carries an AI exposure score of 42%, 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 1,215,000 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +6.0% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $42,010, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, 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 First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving 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. Compile and balance cash receipts at the end of the day or shift.
- 2. Forecast staff, equipment, and supply requirements, based on a master menu.
- 3. Assess nutritional needs of patients, plan special menus, supervise the assembly of regular and special diet trays, and oversee the delivery of food trolleys to hospital patients.
- 4. Resolve customer complaints regarding food service.
- 5. Record production, operational, and personnel data on specified forms.
- 6. Perform personnel actions, such as hiring and firing staff, providing employee orientation and training, and conducting supervisory activities, such as creating work schedules or organizing employee time sheets.
- 7. Estimate ingredients and supplies required to prepare a recipe.
- 8. Train workers in food preparation, and in service, sanitation, and safety procedures.
- 9. Assign duties, responsibilities, and work stations to employees in accordance with work requirements.
- 10. Present bills and accept payments.
Key Skills Required
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Coordination
- Active Listening
- Instructing
- Service Orientation
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Learning Strategies
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Food Production
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Sales and Marketing
- Education and Training
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Economics and Accounting
- Mathematics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers?
First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers has an AI exposure score of 42%, 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 First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers is projected to grow by 6.0% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 1,215,000 workers.
What skills are needed for First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers?
Key skills for First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers include Management of Personnel Resources, Speaking, Monitoring, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers earn?
The median annual wage for First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers is $42,010, 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 First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers?
The typical entry-level education for First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers is High school diploma or equivalent. 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 First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers?
First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving 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
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
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).