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Cooks, Restaurant

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)	Projected Growth (2024-2034)
National Statistics	$36830	250700	14.9%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$36830

Median Wage (USD, 2024)

250700

Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)

14.9%

Projected Growth (2024-2034)

Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience: N.A.

On-Site or In-Plant Training: N.A.

On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month

Detailed Work Activities

Inspect facilities, equipment or supplies to ensure conformance to standards.
Clean food preparation areas, facilities, or equipment.
Assess equipment functioning.
Check quality of foods or supplies.
Maintain food, beverage, or equipment inventories.
Cook foods.
Measure ingredients.
Mix ingredients.
Serve food or beverages.
Arrange food for serving.
Assist chefs or caterers with food or drink preparation.
Prepare foods for cooking or serving.
Estimate supplies, ingredients, or staff requirements for food preparation activities.
Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
Cut cooked or raw foods.
Coordinate activities of food service staff.
Plan menu options.
Prepare breads or doughs.
Record operational or production data.
Determine prices for menu items.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

Ensure food is stored and cooked at correct temperature by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and roasters.
Inspect and clean food preparation areas, such as equipment, work surfaces, and serving areas, to ensure safe and sanitary food-handling practices.
Portion, arrange, and garnish food, and serve food to waiters or patrons.
Ensure freshness of food and ingredients by checking for quality, keeping track of old and new items, and rotating stock.
Season and cook food according to recipes or personal judgment and experience.
Coordinate and supervise work of kitchen staff.
Bake, roast, broil, and steam meats, fish, vegetables, and other foods.
Weigh, measure, and mix ingredients according to recipes or personal judgment, using various kitchen utensils and equipment.
Turn or stir foods to ensure even cooking.
Observe and test foods to determine if they have been cooked sufficiently, using methods such as tasting, smelling, or piercing them with utensils.
Substitute for or assist other cooks during emergencies or rush periods.
Wash, peel, cut, and seed fruits and vegetables to prepare them for consumption.
Bake breads, rolls, cakes, and pastries.
Carve and trim meats such as beef, veal, ham, pork, and lamb for hot or cold service, or for sandwiches.
Keep records and accounts.
Prepare relishes and hors d'oeuvres.
Estimate expected food consumption, requisition or purchase supplies, or procure food from storage.
Consult with supervisory staff to plan menus, taking into consideration factors such as costs and special event needs.
Butcher and dress animals, fowl, or shellfish, or cut and bone meat prior to cooking.
Plan and price menu items.

Work Styles

Innovation

A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

Achievement Orientation

Intellectual Curiosity

Tolerance for Ambiguity

Initiative

Adaptability

Self-Confidence

Perseverance

Leadership Orientation

Humility

Sincerity

Empathy

Cooperation

Optimism

Social Orientation

Cautiousness

Attention to Detail

Dependability

Integrity

Stress Tolerance

Self-Control

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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