Customize Your Journey
For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders

Median Salary
38,550
Job Outlook
+7%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Operate or tend cooking equipment, such as steam cooking vats, deep fry cookers, pressure cookers, kettles, and boilers, to prepare food products.

What sectors do they work in?

Private for profit

89%

Self-employed

9%

Private not for profit

2%

State and local government

0%

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of food processing equipment workers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. About 40,000 openings for food processing equipment workers 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?

$18,940

10%

$38,550

Median

$48,820

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • High school

    85%

  • Post-secondary certificate

    13%

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Verbal Skills

    Low

  • Leadership

    Low

  • Math and Science Skills

    Mid

  • Technology Design and Control

    Mid

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Mid

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Low

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Production and Processing
  • Food Production
  • Mechanical
  • Administration and Management
  • Education and Training

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    High

  • Time Pressure

    High

  • Repetitiveness

    High

  • Physical Activity

    High

  • Responsibility

    Mid

  • 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.

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

Related Occupations

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.