Food preparation & serving · SOC 35-3023
Fast food and counter workers
BLS projects 3,855,900 jobs in 2025 to become 4,079,100 by 2035 — +5.8%, against +3.5% across all occupations.
+5.8%
projected change to 2035
About 223,300 more jobs
827,400
openings a year
21.5% of the occupation a year, counting people who retire or move on
$31,200
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 employment3,855,900
- 2035 projected4,079,100
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.
- 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%
- Dishwashers480,400-1.0%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.