Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Machines can already do 24% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 63%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 24% 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 63% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 293,900 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $35,360 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 82% for contact with people.
- Also called: Food Server, Food Service Worker, Kitchen Runner, Room Server.
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.
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.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Place food servings on plates or trays according to orders or instructions | 17% | 20% to 60% | |
| Clean or sterilize dishes, kitchen utensils, equipment, or facilities | 13% | 20% to 60% | |
| Carry food, silverware, or linen on trays or use carts to carry trays | 13% | 30% to 75% | |
| Monitor food distribution, ensuring that meals are delivered to the correct recipients and that guidelines, such as those for special diets, are followed | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Remove trays and stack dishes for return to kitchen after meals are finished | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Load trays with accessories, such as eating utensils, napkins, or condiments | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Take food orders and relay orders to kitchens or serving counters so they can be filled | 7% | 30% to 54% | |
| Prepare food items, such as sandwiches, salads, soups, or beverages | 7% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills food servers, nonrestaurant use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Orderlies56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $38,290
- Animal Caretakers51% of tasks by 2035 · US median $35,360
- Passenger Attendants52% of tasks by 2035 · US median $37,720
- Baggage Porters and Bellhops61% of tasks by 2035 · US median $37,080
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
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 food servers, nonrestaurant?
Machines can do 24% of the tasks of food servers, nonrestaurant today and 63% 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 35-3041.00 (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 and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Food Servers, Nonrestaurant: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/food-servers-nonrestaurant/