As of June 2026, Cooks, Fast Food has an AI-exposure score of 38/100 (Low exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.

AI Exposure Score for

Cooks, Fast Food

38/100
Low exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High

More exposed than 7% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$30,890. About 82,100 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).

Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.

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How you compare to similar Food Service roles

Cooks, Fast Food (you)
38
Cooks, Private Household
41
Food Preparation Workers
41
Bartenders
41
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
35
Waiters and Waitresses
41
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Your tasks, by AI exposure

Automatable

No automatable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as durable (89%).

Augmentable
  • Schedule activities and equipment use with managers, using information about daily menus to help coordinate cooking times.
  • Order and take delivery of supplies.
Durable
  • Measure ingredients required for specific food items.
  • Verify that prepared food meets requirements for quality and quantity.
  • Take food and drink orders and receive payment from customers.
  • Cook the exact number of items ordered by each customer, working on several different orders simultaneously.
  • Pre-cook items, such as bacon, to prepare them for later use.
  • Cook and package batches of food, such as hamburgers or fried chicken, prepared to order or kept warm until sold.
  • Read food order slips or receive verbal instructions as to food required by patron, and prepare and cook food according to instructions.
  • Operate large-volume cooking equipment, such as grills, deep-fat fryers, or griddles.
  • Prepare specialty foods, such as pizzas, fish and chips, sandwiches, or tacos, following specific methods that usually require short preparation time.
  • Maintain sanitation, health, and safety standards in work areas.
  • Clean food preparation areas, cooking surfaces, and utensils.
  • Clean, stock, and restock workstations and display cases.
  • Prepare and serve beverages, such as coffee or fountain drinks.
  • Serve orders to customers at windows, counters, or tables.
  • Prepare dough, following recipe.
  • Mix ingredients, such as pancake or waffle batters.
  • Wash, cut, and prepare foods designated for cooking.

Safer adjacent roles

Cooks, Short Order
80% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$35,880
43
Cooks, Restaurant
72% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$37,390
42
Food Preparation Workers
64% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$35,320
41
Bakers
56% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$37,160
48
Fast Food and Counter Workers
48% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$31,200
48
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$37,450
43
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$41,590
57
Butchers and Meat Cutters
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$40,140
45

Your AI-Safe Career Report

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Important: This is an estimate of AI exposure, not a prediction that your job will disappear. It is designed to help you understand how your role may change and improve your career resilience.

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Cooks, Fast Food — median pay by US state (BLS OEWS, USD)

California: US$42,050New York: US$35,770Texas: US$28,280

Median annual wage, in USD. US national: US$30,890. More states are being added.

More Food Service roles

Chefs and Head Cooks First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Cooks, Private Household Cooks, Restaurant Cooks, Short Order