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For Educators: Military Resources

Cooks, Short Order

Median Salary
34,130
Job Outlook
+6%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Prepare and cook to order a variety of foods that require only a short preparation time. May take orders from customers and serve patrons at counters or tables.

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of cooks is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. About 441,400 openings for cooks are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$19,880

10%

$34,130

Median

$43,230

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • High school

    54%

  • Less than high school

    33%

  • Some college

    10%

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Verbal Skills

    Low

  • Leadership

    Mid

  • Math and Science Skills

    Low

  • Technology Design and Control

    Low

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Mid

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Low

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Production and Processing
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • English Language
  • Food Production
  • Administrative

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Responsibility

    High

  • Physical Activity

    High

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Mid

  • Repetitiveness

    Mid

  • Time Pressure

    Low

  • Decision Making

    Low

  • Level Of Competition

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

Enterprising

You love taking risks in business or personal projects — and have the leadership skills to back it up.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.