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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

The short answer

This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 3,326 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.

How much AI could touch this job

Less exposedband 2 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

This job is in the second least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.

AI can help with or automate about 29% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Plan menus that are varied, nutritionally balanced, and appetizing, taking advantage of foods in season and local availability.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  2. Monitor menus and spending to ensure that meals are prepared economically.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  3. Compile and maintain records of food use and expenditures.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  4. Requisition food supplies, kitchen equipment, and appliances, based on estimates of future needs.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  5. Determine meal prices, based on calculations of ingredient prices.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Monitor and record food temperatures to ensure food safety.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Cook foodstuffs according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, or numbers of portions to be served.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Rotate and store food supplies.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Wash pots, pans, dishes, utensils, or other cooking equipment.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Apportion and serve food to facility residents, employees, or patrons.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Cooks, Restaurant

    Very similar work
    slightly less pay12,822 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays slightly less—$44,784 vs your $47,046 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, with less than 5 years of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Food Production
    • Near Vision
    • Monitoring
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Oral Expression

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Chefs and Head Cooks

    Very similar work
    +54% pay2,357 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 54% more—$72,462 vs your $47,046 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with 5 years or more of experience.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Food Production
    • Oral Expression
    • Administration and Management
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Personnel and Human Resources
    • Production and Processing
    • Coordination
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Economics and Accounting
  • Waiters and Waitresses

    Similar work
    +2% pay33,101 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 2% more—$48,216 vs your $47,046 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Oral Expression
    • Oral Comprehension
    • English Language
    • Problem Sensitivity

    New skills to build

    • Sales and Marketing
  • Butchers and Meat Cutters

    Somewhat similar work
    +2% pay557 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 2% more—$48,152 vs your $47,046 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus long-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Food Production
    • Near Vision
    • Oral Expression
    • Category Flexibility

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders

    Somewhat similar work
    slightly less pay135 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$46,721 vs your $47,046 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Food Production
    • Administration and Management
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Near Vision
    • Problem Sensitivity

    New skills to build

    • Production and Processing
    • Mechanical
    • Reaction Time