How to become a Food Preparation Worker

Official title: Food Preparation Workers

Also called: Cook, Cook Aide, Deli Clerk (Delicatessen Clerk), Diet Aide, Dietary Aide, Food Prep (Food Preparer), Food Service Aide, Food Service Worker (FSW), Line Cook, Nutrition Aide

Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.

Main tasks

• Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.
• Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.
• Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers.
• Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.
• Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.
• Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.
• Weigh or measure ingredients.
• Vacuum dining area and sweep and mop kitchen floor.

How to become one

Food preparation workers typically do not need a formal educational credential or previous work experience to enter the occupation. They learn through on-the-job training that usually lasts several weeks.

Typical education to start: No formal educational credential

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $35,320 a year The middle half earn $29,950 to $38,550.
• About 908,500 people work in this job now, and about 881,300 are projected by 2035. (-3%)
• People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Related jobs

• Cooks, Fast Food
• Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
• Cooks, Private Household
• Cooks, Restaurant
• Cooks, Short Order

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Food Preparation Worker?

Food preparation workers typically do not need a formal educational credential or previous work experience to enter the occupation. They learn through on-the-job training that usually lasts several weeks.

How much does a Food Preparation Worker earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $35,320 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $29,950 to $38,550.

Is a Food Preparation Worker a growing career in the US?

Employment is projected to fall 3% by 2035, from about 908,500 to about 881,300 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Food Preparation Worker?

Usually not. Only 11% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Food Preparation Worker?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.