Cooks, Short Order earn a median of $35,880 per year ($17.25/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 5.2% through 2035, with about 17,400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
- SOC 35-2015
- Food Preparation and Serving Related
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Cook, Short Order in four numbers
- Median pay
- $35,880a year, or $17.25/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $23KTop 10% $46K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -5.2%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−5.2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −5.2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 17,400138,700 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025138.7K
- Projected 2035131.5K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 138.7K Projected 2035 131.5K - Typical education
- No formal credentialneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school14.4%
- High school66.4%
- Certificate7.4%
- Some college9.5%
- Associate's2.4%
Highest education held by cooks, short order Segment Value Less than high school 14.4% High school 66.4% Certificate 7.4% Some college 9.5% Associate's 2.4%
Also advertised as: Broiler Cook, Cook, Deli Cook (Delicatessen Cook), Food and Beverage Attendant, Grill Cook, Line Cook.
Pay
How much do cooks make?
Cooks, Short Order earn a median of $35,880 a year ($17.25 an hour, or about $2,990 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $23,440 and the top 10% more than $46,460 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is Arizona, with a median of $46,630. See Cook, short order salary in Arizona and every other state. By city, pay is highest around Kahului ($52,560 average): salary in every city.
Every cook, short order in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$35,880
Middle half earn $30,610 to $42,450
- 10th
- $23,440
- 25th
- $30,610
- 75th
- $42,450
- 90th
- $46,460
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $23,440 |
| 25th | $30,610 |
| Median | $35,880 |
| 75th | $42,450 |
| 90th | $46,460 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $35,880
- Median hourly wage
- $17.25/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $36,120
- People employed
- 138,650
Versus all US occupations
At $35,880, Cooks, Short Order earn 30% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $15,100 a year.
Versus food preparation and serving related occupations
The median is typical for the Food Preparation and Serving Related group, where the middle occupation pays $35,360.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $46,460 or more while the bottom 10% earn $23,440, a gap of 2.0×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 3% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Arizona pays the most at $46,630, and still leads at $46,316 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay cooks the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Arizona | $46,630 | $46,316 | 1,880 |
| 2Rhode Island | $46,250 | $45,219 | N/A |
| 3Massachusetts | $44,290 | $41,879 | 4,760 |
| 4Hawaii | $43,110 | $39,208 | 460 |
| 5California | $42,930 | $38,773 | 30,740 |
| 6Washington | $42,760 | $39,958 | 1,700 |
| 7Colorado | $42,450 | $41,193 | 1,900 |
| 8Connecticut | $42,450 | $40,971 | N/A |
| 9District of Columbia | $42,450 | $38,626 | 1,910 |
| 10New Jersey | $40,720 | $37,425 | 850 |
Job outlook
Is cook, short order a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -5.2% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Cooks, Short Order | −5.2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Cooks, Short Order to change -5.2% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 7,200 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 17,400 openings are projected each year, 12.5% of the 138,700 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of cooks is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
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.
Projected employment of cooks varies by occupation (see table).
Population and income growth are expected to result in greater consumer demand for food at a variety of dining places. People will continue to eat out, buy takeout meals, or have food delivered. New restaurants, cafeterias, and catering services are expected to open, requiring more cooks to prepare meals for this increased consumer demand.
AI exposure: low
BLS places this occupation in its low relative AI exposure category, among the occupations least exposed to current AI.
Getting in
How to become a cook, short order
Most cooks learn their skills through on-the-job training and work-related experience. Although no formal education is typically required, some cooks attend culinary schools. Others attend vocational or apprenticeship programs.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
No formal educational credential
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as cooks, short order.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)66.4%
- Less than a High School Diploma14.4%
- Some College Courses9.5%
- Post-Secondary Certificate7.4%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree2.4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 66.4% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 14.4% |
| Some College Courses | 9.5% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 7.4% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 2.4% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a cook, short order do?
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.
Cooks season and prepare foods, including soups, salads, entrees, and desserts.
Day-to-day tasks
- Clean food preparation equipment, work areas, and counters or tables.
- Perform general cleaning activities in kitchen and dining areas.
- Perform food preparation tasks, such as making sandwiches, carving meats, making soups or salads, baking breads or desserts, and brewing coffee or tea.
- Restock kitchen supplies, rotate food, and stamp the time and date on food in coolers.
- Grill, cook, and fry foods such as french fries, eggs, and pancakes.
- Complete orders from steam tables, placing food on plates and serving customers at tables or counters.
- Plan work on orders so that items served together are finished at the same time.
- Take orders from customers and cook foods requiring short preparation times, according to customer requirements.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most cooks work full time, although part-time work is common. Work schedules vary and may include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays. In school cafeterias and some institutional cafeterias, cooks usually have more regular hours.
Cooks who are employed in schools may work only during the school year, typically for 9 or 10 months. Similarly, cooks who are employed in some resort establishments work only for seasonal operation.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayConflict situations are rare.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes are not usually serious.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Active Listening3.1
- Speaking3.0
- Critical Thinking2.9
- Monitoring2.9
- Active Learning2.4
- Writing2.3
- Mathematics2.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 2.9 |
| Monitoring | 2.9 |
| Active Learning | 2.4 |
| Writing | 2.3 |
| Mathematics | 2.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Time Management3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Service Orientation3.0
- Social Perceptiveness2.6
- Complex Problem Solving2.6
- Judgment and Decision Making2.6
- Instructing2.4
- Persuasion2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Time Management | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.6 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.6 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.6 |
| Instructing | 2.4 |
| Persuasion | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Inventory management software
- Point of sale POS software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as a cook, short order?
Women make up 43.7% of cooks, short order, close to their 47.1% share of all employed people.
Only 16.9% are 55 or older (23.2% across all jobs): a young workforce, with 29.8% under 25.
The median worker is 34.7 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 43.7%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 34.7All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 16.9%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 2,099,000Cooks · BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of cooks, short order | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 43.7% | 47.1% |
| White | 71.4% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 17.3% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 5.6% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 39.2% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 16.9% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 29.8% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%. CPS reports this occupation only within the wider Census group “Cooks”, so these figures are for that group.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a cook, short order?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Cook, Short Order |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 1 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 4 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.1
- Conventional4.4
- Enterprising3.7
- Social3.2
- Artistic2.3
- Investigative1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Cook, Short Order
O*NET related occupations
- Food Preparation and Serving Related
- Food Preparation and Serving Related
- Food Preparation and Serving Related
- Food Preparation and Serving Related
- Production
- Production
More food preparation and serving related careers
Median annual pay, with cooks, short order highlighted
- Chef$62,470
- Cook, Short Order$35,880
- Food Preparation Worker$35,320
- Server$35,230
- Bartender$34,340
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper$33,980
- Barista$31,200
- Fast Food and Counter Worker$31,200
- Host and Hostess, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$31,200
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Chef | $62,470 |
| Cook, Short Order | $35,880 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,320 |
| Server | $35,230 |
| Bartender | $34,340 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $33,980 |
| Barista | $31,200 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $31,200 |
| Host and Hostess, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,200 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Cook, Short Order appears on
Questions
Cook, Short Order: frequently asked questions
How much do cooks make?
Cooks, Short Order earn a median of $35,880 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 30% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $17.25/hr. The middle half earn between $30,610 and $42,450. The top 10% earn $46,460 or more.
How much do cooks make an hour?
The median hourly wage for cooks, short order is $17.25 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $35,880 annual median works out to about $2,990 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for a cook, short order?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of cooks, short order earn less than $23,440 a year and the bottom quarter less than $30,610 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Which states pay cooks the most?
The highest state medians for Cooks, Short Order are Arizona ($46,630), Rhode Island ($46,250), Massachusetts ($44,290) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What kind of cook, short order earns the most?
BLS does not split cooks, short order' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $46,460, against a median of $35,880 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are Arizona ($46,630), Rhode Island ($46,250), Massachusetts ($44,290).
Do you need a degree to become a cook, short order?
No. BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry requirement for Cooks, Short Order, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as some preparation. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 66.4% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
How long does it take to become a cook, short order?
BLS does not publish a fixed length; it depends on the route. What it does publish: the typical way in for cooks is no formal educational credential. Once hired, BLS lists short-term on-the-job training as typical. O*NET classes the work as needing some preparation.
Is cook, short order a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 5.2% over 2025–2035, a loss of 7,200 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 17,400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a cook, short order do?
Cooks season and prepare foods, including soups, salads, entrees, and desserts. A core O*NET task: clean food preparation equipment, work areas, and counters or tables.
What personality type suits a cook, short order?
O*NET scores Cooks, Short Order highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Enterprising interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ESTJ, ISFJ, ISTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
What percentage of cooks are women?
Women make up 43.7% of cooks, short order, close to their 47.1% share of all employed people. Only 16.9% are 55 or older (23.2% across all jobs): a young workforce, with 29.8% under 25. The median worker is 34.7 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages, for the Census group "Cooks".