Food preparation & serving · SOC 35-3031
Waiters and waitresses
BLS projects 2,284,400 jobs in 2025 to become 2,330,900 by 2035 — +2.0%, against +3.5% across all occupations.
+2.0%
projected change to 2035
About 46,500 more jobs
423,100
openings a year
18.5% of the occupation a year, counting people who retire or move on
$35,230
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 employment2,284,400
- 2035 projected2,330,900
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%
- 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.