Food Preparation Workers
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 shrink over the next decade, with about 9,882 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the 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
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 least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
This job is in the 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 6% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Inform supervisors when equipment is not working properly and when food and supplies are getting low, and order needed items.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Keep records of the quantities of food used.
AI could do much of this on its own
Tasks AI can't do much of
Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Distribute food to waiters and waitresses to serve to customers.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
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.
Dishwashers
Very similar workslightly less pay6,093 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$36,343 vs your $36,515 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
- Trunk Strength
- Manual Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Near Vision
- Extent Flexibility
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Cooks, Restaurant
Very similar work+23% pay12,822 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 23% more—$44,784 vs your $36,515 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
- Near Vision
- Trunk Strength
- Oral Comprehension
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
New skills to build
- Perceptual Speed
- Time Sharing
Fast Food and Counter Workers
Very similar workslightly less pay51,611 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$36,144 vs your $36,515 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
- Oral Comprehension
- Near Vision
- Customer and Personal Service
- Trunk Strength
- Speech Recognition
New skills to build
- Sales and Marketing
- Computers and Electronics
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
Very similar work+3% pay10,109 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 3% more—$37,671 vs your $36,515 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
- Near Vision
- Trunk Strength
- Customer and Personal Service
- Manual Dexterity
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Sales and Marketing
- English Language
Cooks, Fast Food
Very similar workabout the same pay3,088 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about the same—$36,681 vs your $36,515 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
- Oral Comprehension
- Near Vision
- Customer and Personal Service
- Speech Recognition
- Trunk Strength
New skills to build
- Communications and Media
- Transportation
- Public Safety and Security
- Administration and Management
- English Language
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers
Somewhat similar work+5% pay293 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 5% more—$38,183 vs your $36,515 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
- Trunk Strength
- Oral Comprehension
- Near Vision
- Customer and Personal Service
- Manual Dexterity
New skills to build
- Food Production
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Personnel and Human Resources