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Cafeteria Cooks

Food Preparation & Servicevery lowaugment
BLS 2024-34: +5%
Median Wage: $32,080
Employment: 394K

Overall Exposure

12

2025 vs 2023

Theoretical Exposure

19

What AI could do

Observed Exposure

5

What AI actually does

Automation Risk Score

7

Displacement risk

3-Year Outlook (2025 โ†’ 2028)

Projected changes in AI automation metrics over the next 3 years based on estimated data.

Overall Exposure

12โ†’18
+6

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Theoretical Exposure

19โ†’28
+9

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Observed Exposure

5โ†’8
+3

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Automation Risk

7โ†’10
+3

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Exposure Metrics (2023 - 2028)

Detailed Metrics Table

YearOverallTheoreticalObservedRiskData Type
2024101646actual
2025121957estimated
2026142268estimated
2027162579estimated
20281828810estimated

Task Breakdown

Plan production quantities based on meal counts
30%ฮฒ 0.5
Cook large batches following standardized recipes
4%ฮฒ 0
Monitor food temperatures and sanitation compliance
18%ฮฒ 0

About This Occupation

If you work as a Cafeteria Cook, AI has very limited impact on your role. With an automation risk of 7/100 and overall exposure at 12%, this role faces very low transformation. Production planning sees the highest automation at 30%. BLS projects +5% growth through 2034.

Frequently Asked Questions

With an automation risk score of 7%, Cafeteria Cooks has a low risk of AI replacement. Most tasks in this role require skills that are difficult for AI to replicate, such as complex decision-making, physical dexterity, or deep interpersonal interaction. AI is more likely to serve as a supportive tool.

The AI automation risk score for Cafeteria Cooks is 7% (2025 data). Overall AI exposure is 12%, with 19% theoretical exposure and 5% observed exposure. The risk trend from 2023 to 2025 is 0 points.

The tasks with the highest automation potential for Cafeteria Cooks are: Plan production quantities based on meal counts (30%), Monitor food temperatures and sanitation compliance (18%), Cook large batches following standardized recipes (4%). These rates reflect how much of each task current AI systems can handle, based on research data from Anthropic and academic sources.

The BLS projects +5% employment change for Cafeteria Cooks from 2024 to 2034. Combined with an overall AI exposure of 12%, this occupation is experiencing both traditional labor market shifts and AI-driven transformation. Workers should monitor both employment trends and AI capability growth.

Since AI primarily augments capabilities in this role, professionals in Cafeteria Cooks should embrace AI as a productivity multiplier. Focus on learning to use AI tools effectively, developing higher-order analytical and creative skills, and positioning yourself as someone who can leverage AI to deliver greater value.