Food Preparation Workers
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Food Preparation Workers to decrease by -3.0% between 2024 and 2034, from 908,500 to 881,300 jobs. Its estimate of 135,700 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($35,320), education (No formal educational credential), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
908,500
Projected employment (2034)
881,300
Projected change (2024–2034)
-3%
Annual openings (projected average)
135,700
Pay & Preparation
$35,320
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Service Orientation (3/5) • Active Listening (3/5) • Time Management (3/5) • Speaking (2.88/5) • Coordination (2.88/5) • Critical Thinking (2.75/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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