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Fast Food and Counter 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 grow over the next decade, with about 51,611 openings expected each year.

Step 1

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

Least exposedband 1 of 5
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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.

Step 2

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 13% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Request and record customer orders, and compute bills, using cash registers, multi-counting machines, or pencil and paper.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  2. Describe menu items to customers, or suggest products that might appeal to them.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  3. Provide customers with product details, such as coffee blend or preparation descriptions.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  4. Take customers' orders and write ordered items on tickets, giving ticket stubs to customers when needed to identify filled orders.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  5. Plan, prepare, and deliver meals to individuals with special dietary needs.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Receive and process customer payments.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Prepare or serve hot or cold beverages, such as coffee, espresso drinks, blended coffees, or teas.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Take customer orders and convey them to other employees for preparation.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Clean or sanitize work areas, utensils, or equipment.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Accept payment from customers, and make change as necessary.

    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.

  • Food Preparation Workers

    Very similar work
    +1% pay9,882 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 1% more—$36,515 vs your $36,144 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

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

    Very similar work
    +4% pay10,109 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 4% more—$37,671 vs your $36,144 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
    • English Language
    • Near Vision
    • Speech Recognition
    • Coordination

    New skills to build

    • Static Strength
  • Cooks, Fast Food

    Very similar work
    +1% pay3,088 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 1% more—$36,681 vs your $36,144 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
    • English Language
    • Near Vision
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Speech Recognition

    New skills to build

    • Transportation
    • Communications and Media
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Administration and Management
  • Dishwashers

    Very similar work
    +1% pay6,093 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 1% more—$36,343 vs your $36,144 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

    • English Language
    • Trunk Strength
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Near Vision

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Cooks, Restaurant

    Similar work
    +24% pay12,822 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 24% more—$44,784 vs your $36,144 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

    • Oral Expression
    • Near Vision
    • Oral Comprehension
    • English Language
    • Speech Recognition

    Your current skills largely cover this move.