Cooks, Short Order

35-2015.00 Zone 2 — Some Preparation Needed

Prepare and cook to order a variety of foods that require only a short preparation time. May take orders from customers and serve patrons at counters or tables.

Also known as: Barbecue Cook, Bed and Breakfast Cook (B&B Cook), Breakfast Cook, Breakfast Line Cook, Broiler Cook, Chuck Wagon Cook, Cook, Deli Cook (Delicatessen Cook), ...

Annual Salary

$35,620

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$30,160 25th – 75th percentile $39,990
10th percentile $23,770
90th percentile $46,010
U.S. Employment: 150,420

Job Outlook

-5.6%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Declining)

Annual Job Openings 20,600 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: No formal educational credential
On-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training

What You'd Do

  • Clean food preparation equipment, work areas, and counters or tables.
  • Plan work on orders so that items served together are finished at the same time.
  • Grill, cook, and fry foods such as french fries, eggs, and pancakes.
  • Take orders from customers and cook foods requiring short preparation times, according to customer requirements.
  • Complete orders from steam tables, placing food on plates and serving customers at tables or counters.
  • Restock kitchen supplies, rotate food, and stamp the time and date on food in coolers.
  • Perform food preparation tasks, such as making sandwiches, carving meats, making soups or salads, baking breads or desserts, and brewing coffee or tea.
  • Perform general cleaning activities in kitchen and dining areas.
  • Grill and garnish hamburgers or other meats, such as steaks and chops.
  • Order supplies and stock them on shelves.

Top Skills

Reading Comprehension 3.1
Active Listening 3.1
Time Management 3.1
Service Orientation 3.0
Speaking 3.0
Coordination 3.0
Critical Thinking 2.9
Monitoring 2.9

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Food Production 4.0
Customer and Personal Service 3.4
English Language 3.2
Production and Processing 2.6
Communications and Media 2.5
Chemistry 2.4
Public Safety and Security 2.3
Foreign Language 2.2

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

High School
66.4%
< High School
14.4%
Some College
9.5%
Certificate
7.4%
Associate's
2.4%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

Aldelo Systems Aldelo for Restaurants Pro Foodman Home-Delivery Inventory control software Plexis Software Plexis POS Point of sale POS software RestaurantPlus PRO

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.1
Dependability
1.8
Stress Tolerance
1.6
Attention to Detail
1.5
Self-Control
1.3
Cooperation
1.3
Social Orientation
1.2
Optimism

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Oral Comprehension 3.5
Near Vision 3.5
Trunk Strength 3.3
Manual Dexterity 3.1
Information Ordering 3.1
Time Sharing 3.0
Selective Attention 3.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Processing Information 3.7
Getting Information 3.4
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People 3.3
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge 3.3
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information 3.2
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials 3.2
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 3.1
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 3.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

Spend Time Standing
4.8
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.7
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.5
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.1
Physical Proximity
4.1
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
4.0
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
3.9
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
3.8
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
3.8
Contact With Others
3.7
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
3.5
Time Pressure
3.5

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.