Food Service · SOC 35-2014
Restaurant cooking is skilled craft work; AI can automate ordering and records but not the heat, timing, and technique.
Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
Timeline: AI-powered ordering and cost-analysis tools are becoming standard in restaurant management; by 2028, skilled cooks will focus more on creative execution as routine logistics become automated.
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$30,160 median pay
$34,460 median pay
$36,450 median pay
$33,530 median pay
$44,530 median pay
$30,480 median pay
AI job-risk card
Cooks, Restaurant is resilient on AIFear. Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
AIFear.com
Our AI Fear Score for Cooks, Restaurant is 28/100 (Resilient). Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
28 out of 100, based on an AI-model review of this occupation's O*NET tasks against what current AI can actually do.
Most exposed: Estimating food consumption and purchasing, Consulting with managers on menus and costs, Keeping records and accounts, Preparing cold appetizers and garnishes. Harder to automate: Cooking proteins and dishes to order, Maintaining food temperature and safety, Portioning and plating with quality control, Food freshness and stock rotation.
Lean into Culinary technique and knife skills, Food safety and sanitation, Kitchen cost management, AI-assisted inventory tools. Consider roles such as Sous Chef or Executive Chef or Food and Beverage Manager.
Tasks, skills and AI-exposure for this role were reviewed by an AI model against its O*NET task profile (curated roles use published research anchors). Pay and employment, where shown, are U.S. BLS OEWS (May 2024) figures. This is an estimate, not a prediction about any individual's job. Compare all occupations.