Food preparation & serving · SOC 35-1012
First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers
BLS projects 1,236,400 jobs in 2025 to become 1,303,500 by 2035 — +5.4%, against +3.5% across all occupations.
+5.4%
projected change to 2035
About 67,100 more jobs
171,500
openings a year
13.9% of the occupation a year, counting people who retire or move on
$44,080
median annual pay
Usually entered with: high school diploma or equivalent
2025 to 2035
Employment at the start and end of the projection, in jobs.
- 2025 employment1,236,400
- 2035 projected1,303,500
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025–2035 projections.
Other food preparation & serving occupations
The largest occupations in the same group, by projected change to 2035.
- Fast food and counter workers3,855,900+5.8%
- Waiters and waitresses2,284,400+2.0%
- Cooks, restaurant1,417,500+12.1%
- Food preparation workers908,500-3.0%
- Bartenders762,600+5.0%
- Cooks, fast food640,500+0.6%
- Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers546,600+5.3%
- Dishwashers480,400-1.0%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.