Cooks, Institution & Cafeteria vs Food Preparation Workers
Median pay is about $2k higher for Cooks, Institution & Cafeteria. Both usually start with the same education: no formal credential.
marks the higher pay or growth. Education, difficulty and the AI rows depend on what you want, so they are not marked.
| Measure | Cooks, Institution & Cafeteria | Food Preparation Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | ||
| Median pay | $37,450, higher | $35,320 |
| Entry pay 25th percentile | $32,440, higher | $29,950 |
| Experienced pay 75th percentile | $44,800, higher | $38,550 |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | ||
| Projected growth | +2.8% Growing, higher | -3.0% Declining |
| Openings a year | 62,900 | 135,700 |
| Getting in | ||
| Typical education | No formal credential | No formal credential |
| Difficulty modeled | 1.6 / 5 | 1.6 / 5 |
| AI | ||
| Displacement risk modeled | Low | Moderate |
| AI exposure modeled, percentile | 3rd pct | 21st pct |
Skills
Both lean on the same top skills: speaking, monitoring, active listening, critical thinking, reading comprehension, mathematics.
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Pay and outlook: BLS (OEWS 2025, Employment Projections 2025-2035). Skills: O*NET 30.3. Difficulty, displacement risk and AI exposure are modeled estimates. How these numbers are made.