Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
SOC: 35-2021.00
Common Job Titles
Cook
Deli Clerk (Delicatessen Clerk)
Dietary Aide
Food Service Worker (FSW)
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generated
Key competencies for this occupation at a glance
Hands-onPerform food preparation tasks including slicing meat, preparing cold foods, and brewing beverages using commercial kitchen equipment under time constraints in fast-paced food service environments.
Developing
Hands-onOperate commercial food processing equipment including slicers, grinders, blenders, and mixers following food safety protocols and equipment operating procedures.
Developing
Hands-onHandle food items and ingredients measuring portions accurately using scales and measuring utensils while maintaining sanitation standards.
Developing
KnowledgeApply food production and processing procedures to prepare menu items according to established recipes and specifications.
Developing
KnowledgeDemonstrate time management skills to coordinate multiple food preparation tasks prioritizing work based on order volume and service timing requirements.
Developing
MindsetEngage with supervisors and team members communicating preparation status and coordinating workflow in collaborative kitchen environments.
Developing
MindsetRespond to customer service needs and special requests maintaining a service-oriented approach when interacting with customers or front-of-house staff.
Developing
Hands-onExecute sanitation and cleaning procedures for equipment and work areas using commercial dishwashers and cleaning systems to maintain food safety compliance.
Developing
KnowledgeIdentify food quality standards and compliance requirements through visual and sensory inspection during preparation and storage.
Emerging
KnowledgeExplain food preparation techniques and safety procedures to new workers supporting training and onboarding in team-based kitchen settings.
Emerging
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Food Preparation Workers (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
888,770
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $23,490. 25th percentile: U.S. $28,740. 50th percentile: U.S. $34,220. 75th percentile: U.S. $37,540. 90th percentile: U.S. $44,260. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
U.S.
Metric
U.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less
$23,490
10% of workers earn the following or more
$44,260
Workers on average earn
$33,940
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
Customer and Personal Service3.3/5
Food Production2.9/5
Production and Processing2.7/5
English Language2.4/5
Administration and Management2.3/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
