Operate or tend cooking equipment, such as steam cooking vats, deep fry cookers, pressure cookers, kettles, and boilers, to prepare food products.
SOC: 51-3093.00
Common Job Titles
Fryer Operator
Kettle Fry Cook Operator
Machine Operator
Retort Operator
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generated
Key competencies for this occupation at a glance
Hands-onOperate steam cooking vats, deep fry cookers, pressure cookers, and boilers in food production facilities following established safety and operational protocols.
Proficient
KnowledgeEvaluate food product quality and compliance with production standards during cooking processes to ensure consistency and food safety requirements.
Proficient
Hands-onCoordinate material handling using conveyors, hoists, and feeders to maintain continuous production flow in high-volume manufacturing environments.
Proficient
Hands-onPerform equipment inspections and operational checks on cooking machinery including retorts, kettles, and roasting equipment to maintain production efficiency.
Developing
KnowledgeApply production and food processing procedures to control cooking temperatures, timing, and ingredient ratios for consistent output.
Developing
KnowledgeAnalyze process parameters and equipment performance data to identify deviations from specifications and implement corrective actions.
Developing
KnowledgeInterpret production schedules, batch records, and standard operating procedures to execute cooking operations according to regulatory and quality requirements.
Developing
Hands-onExecute cleaning and sanitation protocols for cooking equipment following food safety standards and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
Developing
MindsetEngage in team communication regarding production status and equipment issues with supervisors, peers, and maintenance personnel to maintain operational continuity.
Developing
KnowledgeApply mechanical knowledge to troubleshoot equipment malfunctions during production runs to minimize downtime and maintain product quality.
Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
27,660
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $30,540. 25th percentile: U.S. $35,310. 50th percentile: U.S. $40,550. 75th percentile: U.S. $47,420. 90th percentile: U.S. $54,170. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
U.S.
Metric
U.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less
$30,540
10% of workers earn the following or more
$54,170
Workers on average earn
$41,930
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
Production and Processing4.3/5
Food Production3.8/5
Administration and Management3.3/5
Education and Training3.1/5
Mechanical3.1/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
