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Short Order Cooks

Food Preparation & Servicevery lowaugment
BLS 2024-34: -6%
Median Wage: $30,440
Employment: 132K

Overall Exposure

10

2025 vs 2023

Theoretical Exposure

17

What AI could do

Observed Exposure

3

What AI actually does

Automation Risk Score

6

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

10โ†’16
+6

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Theoretical Exposure

17โ†’26
+9

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Observed Exposure

3โ†’6
+3

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Automation Risk

6โ†’9
+3

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Exposure Metrics (2023 - 2028)

Detailed Metrics Table

YearOverallTheoreticalObservedRiskData Type
202481425actual
2025101736estimated
2026122047estimated
2027142358estimated
2028162669estimated

Task Breakdown

Take customer orders and process payments
28%ฮฒ 0.5
Grill, fry, and prepare food quickly
3%ฮฒ 0
Maintain cleanliness and restock supplies
5%ฮฒ 0

About This Occupation

If you work as a Short Order Cook, AI has very limited impact on your role. With an automation risk of 6/100 and overall exposure at 10%, this role faces very low transformation. Order taking and payment processing see the highest automation at 28%. BLS projects -6% decline through 2034.

Frequently Asked Questions

With an automation risk score of 6%, Short Order 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 Short Order Cooks is 6% (2025 data). Overall AI exposure is 10%, with 17% theoretical exposure and 3% observed exposure. The risk trend from 2023 to 2025 is 0 points.

The tasks with the highest automation potential for Short Order Cooks are: Take customer orders and process payments (28%), Maintain cleanliness and restock supplies (5%), Grill, fry, and prepare food quickly (3%). 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 -6% employment change for Short Order Cooks from 2024 to 2034. Combined with an overall AI exposure of 10%, 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 Short Order 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.