Food Service · Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
This profile is intended as career exploration guidance based on federal labor data. Actual job requirements, salaries, and opportunities vary by employer and location.
Entry Salary
$24–29k
First 1–2 years
Peak Salary
$27–32k
10+ years experience
Job Outlook
-3.4% · Declining
Projected decline of -3.4% from 2024 to 2034; about 148 openings projected per year.
Time to Start
1–2 years
College degree typical
Salary data sourced from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2024. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, employer, and specialization.
Entry-Level Workers
Food Preparation Workers
Experienced Food Preparation Workers
Senior Food Preparation Workers
Director of Food Service
You prioritize Relationships
This career is strongly aligned with Relationships — a core work value that shapes how people approach their career decisions.
You're strong in Active Listening
Active Listening is a top skill for this career, and it plays to what students like you naturally do best.
Good fit for your timeline
This career typically requires short-term training (less than 1 year), which matches common student preparation goals.
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