Explore safer careers (5)
Lower estimated automation risk
Why it fits
Fits experienced fast-food workers using staffing, ordering, food safety, cost control, service metrics, and shift leadership.
Why it fits
Directly reuses station timing, sanitation, crew coordination, service pace, quality checks, and customer problem solving.
Why it fits
Applies batch cooking, portion control, food safety, prep lists, equipment routines, and steady production schedules.
Why it fits
Transfers grill, fryer, prep, timing, sanitation, order flow, and kitchen communication with broader menu training.
Why it fits
Fits cooks with quality interest using sanitation records, samples, ingredient behavior, product tests, and food safety training.
Occupation snapshot
What does this snowflake show?
What's this?
We rate jobs using four factors. These are:
- Chance of being automated
- Job growth
- Wages
- Volume of available positions
These are some key things to think about when job hunting.
Risk & user votes
Calculated automation risk
High Risk (61-80%): This occupation shows a significant risk of end-to-end replacement by automation. Many core parts of the role may be structured, repeatable, software-driven, or physically predictable enough for AI, machines, or robotic systems to take over. If you work in this area, it may be worth exploring safer related careers or moving towards more human-centred responsibilities.
More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.
Human strengths important in this job
These are human abilities and work contexts that are important in this occupation. They may help explain why parts of the role are harder to replace end-to-end, but they are not the only inputs into the automation score.
What users think
Based on 288 votes
Our visitors have voted that it's probable this occupation will be automated. This assessment is further supported by the calculated automation risk level, which estimates 76% chance of automation.
What do you think the risk of automation is?
What is the likelihood that Cooks, Fast Food will be replaced by robots or artificial intelligence within the next 20 years?
Sentiment
Based on user votes over time
View sentiment trend
How opinions have changed over time
Pay & outlook
Wages
In 2024, the median annual wage for Cooks, Fast Food was $30,160 ($14 per hour).
The median annual wage for Cooks, Fast Food was 39.1% lower than the national median annual wage, which stood at $49,500.
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Wages over time
Growth
The number of 'Cooks, Fast Food' job openings is expected to decline 13.5% by 2034
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Total employment, and estimated job openings
Updated projections are due 09-2025.
Volume
As of 2024 there were 668,230 people employed as 'Cooks, Fast Food' within the United States.
This represents around 0.43% of the employed workforce across the country
Put another way, around 1 in 230 people are employed as 'Cooks, Fast Food'.
People also viewed
Job description
Prepare and cook food in a fast food restaurant with a limited menu. Duties of these cooks are limited to preparation of a few basic items and normally involve operating large-volume single-purpose cooking equipment.
O*NET-SOC code: 35-2011.00
What people are saying (9)
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