Food preparation & serving · SOC 35-2015
Cooks, short order
BLS projects 138,700 jobs in 2025 to become 131,500 by 2035 — -5.2%, against +3.5% across all occupations.
-5.2%
projected change to 2035
About 7,200 fewer jobs
17,400
openings a year
12.5% of the occupation a year, counting people who retire or move on
$35,880
median annual pay
Usually entered with: no formal educational credential
2025 to 2035
Employment at the start and end of the projection, in jobs.
- 2025 employment138,700
- 2035 projected131,500
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%
- First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers1,236,400+5.4%
- 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%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.