Food preparation workers
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
Food preparation workers perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea. The role reports a median annual salary of $34,220 in the US and is projected to decline by 3% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a No formal educational credential, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.55 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Active Listening, Time Management, Service Orientation, Coordination, Speaking.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £22,886 a year for Kitchen and catering assistants (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £18,811 to £26,766 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 9263). ONS rates this estimate precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Elementary occupations” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Food preparation workers, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 9. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Customer and Personal Service
- Food Production
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Psychology
- Education and Training
- Public Safety and Security
A day in the life
You arrive before the kitchen opens, wash your hands, put on an apron and start by wiping down and sanitising the counters, cutting boards and prep tables. You check the fridge and freezer temperatures and write them in the log, then carry crates of vegetables, meat and dry goods from the storeroom to the prep area. For most of the morning you peel, chop and portion ingredients, weighing and measuring them carefully so the cooks can work quickly once orders come in. When the rush begins you fetch whatever the cooks call for, from fresh trays to clean pans, and keep your station tidy between tasks. After service you store leftover food in labelled, covered containers so nothing spoils, empty the kitchen bins and scrub them out, and wash the utensils. The work is repetitive and you are on your feet all day, but there is real satisfaction in a busy service that runs smoothly because everything was ready on time.
Illustrative: one typical day, written from the O*NET task statements for this occupation. Real days vary by employer and seniority.
What you'd actually do
- Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.
- Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.
- Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers.
- Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.
- Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.
- Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Food preparation workers do?
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
What does a typical day look like in Food preparation workers?
You arrive before the kitchen opens, wash your hands, put on an apron and start by wiping down and sanitising the counters, cutting boards and prep tables. You check the fridge and freezer temperatures and write them in the log, then carry crates of vegetables, meat and dry goods from the storeroom to the prep area. For most of the morning you peel, chop and portion ingredients, weighing and measuring them carefully so the cooks can work quickly once orders come in.
How much does Food preparation workers earn?
The median annual salary for Food preparation workers in the US is $34,220.
What is the job outlook for Food preparation workers?
The role is projected to decline by 3% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 902,700 workers.
How do I become food preparation workers?
The typical entry education is a No formal educational credential. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Food preparation workers need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Active Listening, Time Management, Service Orientation, Coordination, Speaking, Critical Thinking. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Food preparation workers?
Our AI-durability model gives Food preparation workers a score of 0.55 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Food preparation workers has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.