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US job code 35-2015High change by 2035

Cooks, Short Order

Machines can already do 21% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 61%. The job changes before it disappears.

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Share of the work machines can do

Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050

100%75%50%25%20262035205021%Half: 2033

Cooks, Short Order in 2026: the short answer

  • Today: machines can do 21% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
  • Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 61% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
  • Size: 138,650 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $35,880 a year.
  • Contact with people: it scores 68% for contact with people.
  • Also called: Broiler Cook, Cook, Deli Cook (Delicatessen Cook), Food and Beverage Attendant.
  • Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.

Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.

Machines can do today
21%of the tasks, 2026
By 2035
61%half the tasks by 2033
US median pay
$35,880a year, May 2025
US jobs
139k138,650 people
Contact with people
68%how people-facing
Step 1AnticipateWhat is changing? Free to everyone

How the work changes, task by task

The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.

TaskShare of the dayMachines can do2026 to 2035
Grill, cook, and fry foods such as french fries, eggs, and pancakes19%
30% to 75%
Perform food preparation tasks, such as making sandwiches, carving meats, making soups or salads, baking breads or desserts, and brewing coffee or tea15%
20% to 60%
Take orders from customers and cook foods requiring short preparation times, according to customer requirements15%
20% to 60%
Grill and garnish hamburgers or other meats, such as steaks and chops12%
20% to 60%
Clean food preparation equipment, work areas, and counters or tables11%
20% to 60%
Perform general cleaning activities in kitchen and dining areas8%
20% to 60%
Complete orders from steam tables, placing food on plates and serving customers at tables or counters6%
20% to 60%
Plan work on orders so that items served together are finished at the same time6%
3% to 30%
Step 2AssessWhy should I care? Free to everyone

The skills this job runs on

The skills cooks, short order use most, most used first.

Professionalism and work ethicProduction and makingAdaptability and resilienceSelf-management

Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace

How much cooks, short order rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, low confidence.

  • Go-to problem solver3/10
  • Trust and reliability5/10
  • Know-how about the organisation3/10
  • Network and relationships3/10
  • Mentoring and developing others2/10
  • Culture and morale4/10
  • Initiative beyond the role2/10
  • Calm in a crisis5/10
  • Bridge between teams2/10
  • Reputation and influence1/10

Safer jobs nearby

Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.

Step 3ActWhat do I do about it? Free plan and up
What do I do about it

What should you do about it?

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Questions

When will machines do half of the tasks of Cooks, Short Order?

Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.

Will AI take the job of cooks, short order?

Machines can do 21% of the tasks of cooks, short order today and 61% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.

Sources and citing

Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 35-2015.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, low confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.

Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Cooks, Short Order: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/cooks-short-order/