# Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

> Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 35-2012.00
- **Summary:** Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.

## Aliases

- Cafeteria Cook
- Cook
- Dietary Cook
- School Cook
- Dinner Cook
- Food Service Specialist
- Food Service Worker
- Prep Cook (Preparatory Cook)
- Sous Chef
- Boarding House Cook
- Camp Cook
- Culinary Specialist

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monitor and record food temperatures to ensure food safety. | Core | 4.A.1.a.2.b |
| Cook foodstuffs according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, or numbers of portions to be served. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.c |
| Rotate and store food supplies. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.j |
| Wash pots, pans, dishes, utensils, or other cooking equipment. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.h |
| Apportion and serve food to facility residents, employees, or patrons. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.o |
| Clean and inspect galley equipment, kitchen appliances, and work areas to ensure cleanliness and functional operation. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.e |
| Clean, cut, and cook meat, fish, or poultry. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.c |
| Monitor use of government food commodities to ensure that proper procedures are followed. | Supplemental | 4.A.1.a.2.b |
| Direct activities of one or more workers who assist in preparing and serving meals. | Core | 4.A.4.b.4.j |
| Plan menus that are varied, nutritionally balanced, and appetizing, taking advantage of foods in season and local availability. | Supplemental | 4.A.2.b.2.d |
| Monitor menus and spending to ensure that meals are prepared economically. | Supplemental | 4.A.1.a.2.b |
| Compile and maintain records of food use and expenditures. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.b.6.h |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Monitor food services operations to ensure procedures are followed. | 4.A.1.a.2.b |
| Inspect facilities, equipment or supplies to ensure conformance to standards. | 4.A.1.b.2.e |
| Record operational or production data. | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Move equipment, supplies or food to required locations. | 4.A.3.a.1.j |
| Store supplies or goods in kitchens or storage areas. | 4.A.3.a.2.ak |
| Maintain food, beverage, or equipment inventories. | 4.A.4.c.3.a |
| Clean food preparation areas, facilities, or equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Serve food or beverages. | 4.A.3.a.1.o |
| Cook foods. | 4.A.3.a.2.c |
| Cut cooked or raw foods. | 4.A.3.a.2.c |
| Prepare foods for cooking or serving. | 4.A.3.a.2.c |
| Clean tableware. | 4.A.3.a.1.h |
| Coordinate activities of food service staff. | 4.A.4.b.4.j |
| Prepare breads or doughs. | 4.A.3.a.2.c |
| Train food preparation or food service personnel. | 4.A.4.b.3.d |
| Plan menu options. | 4.A.2.b.2.d |
| Order materials, supplies, or equipment. | 4.A.4.c.3.e |
| Determine prices for menu items. | 4.A.2.b.1.a |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.6 |
| Food Production | knowledge | 3.58 |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 3.56 |
| Mathematics | knowledge | 3.54 |
| Administration and Management | knowledge | 3.34 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.25 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.25 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Service Orientation | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Quality Control Analysis | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.12 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.12 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.12 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.12 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3.12 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3.12 |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 3.06 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Time Management | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3 |
| Visualization | ability | 3 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3 |
| Time Sharing | ability | 3 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3 |
| Trunk Strength | ability | 3 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3 |
| Public Safety and Security | knowledge | 2.99 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 2.88 |
| Mathematics | essential_skill | 2.88 |
| Active Learning | essential_skill | 2.88 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| GNOME Gnutrition | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| IBM Lotus 1-2-3 | Spreadsheet software | no | no |
| Meals Plus | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| PCS Revenue Control Systems FASTRAK School Meal Software | Point of sale POS software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.8 |
| Spend Time Standing | 4.72 |
| Contact With Others | 4.62 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 4.62 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.47 |
| Time Pressure | 4.4 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 4.29 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 4.23 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 4.06 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 4.01 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 3.92 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.86 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 3.84 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.79 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.78 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.78 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.73 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 3.72 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.65 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 3.61 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.34 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 3.31 |
| Consequence of Error | 3.25 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 3.21 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 3.21 |
| Telephone Conversations | 3.17 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.81 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | 2.7 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 2.61 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 2.6 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 2.44 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 2.35 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 2.23 |
| E-Mail | 2.07 |
| Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling | 2.05 |
| Degree of Automation | 2 |
| Level of Competition | 1.97 |
| Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance | 1.83 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 1.81 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 1.81 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 2
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- **Experience:** Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- **Svp Range:** (Below 6.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| High School Diploma | 71.14 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 14.21 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 6.78 |
| Some College Courses | 5.85 |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 1.94 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 0.08 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 5.9 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 4.35 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 3.76 |
| Culinary Art | specific_interest_area | 3.44 |
| Social | career_interest_type | 3.17 |
| Enterprising | career_interest_type | 3.16 |
| Dependability | work_style | 2.65 |
| Management/Administration | specific_interest_area | 2.32 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 2.08 |
| Artistic | career_interest_type | 2.01 |
| Personal Service | specific_interest_area | 1.97 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 1.83 |
| Human Resources | specific_interest_area | 1.75 |
| Health Care Service | specific_interest_area | 1.69 |
| Accounting | specific_interest_area | 1.58 |
| Cooperation | work_style | 1.57 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 35-2014.00 | role-35-2014-00 | Cooks, Restaurant | Primary-Short |
| 35-2021.00 | role-35-2021-00 | Food Preparation Workers | Primary-Short |
| 35-2013.00 | role-35-2013-00 | Cooks, Private Household | Primary-Short |
| 35-2015.00 | role-35-2015-00 | Cooks, Short Order | Primary-Short |
| 35-1011.00 | role-35-1011-00 | Chefs and Head Cooks | Primary-Short |
| 35-2011.00 | role-35-2011-00 | Cooks, Fast Food | Primary-Long |
| 51-3011.00 | role-51-3011-00 | Bakers | Primary-Long |
| 11-9051.00 | role-11-9051-00 | Food Service Managers | Primary-Long |
| 35-3023.00 | role-35-3023-00 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | Primary-Long |
| 35-1012.00 | role-35-1012-00 | First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | Primary-Long |
| 35-3041.00 | role-35-3041-00 | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | Supplemental |
| 51-3021.00 | role-51-3021-00 | Butchers and Meat Cutters | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Healthcare & Human Services | healthcare-human-services |
| Hospitality, Events, & Tourism | hospitality-events-tourism |
| Management & Entrepreneurship | management-entrepreneurship |
| Public Service & Safety | public-service-safety |

## Education Level

- **Category:** No formal educational credential

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services | culinary-entertainment-and-personal-services |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences | family-and-consumer-sciences-human-sciences |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 36450
- **Mean Wage:** 37310
- **Pct10Wage:** 26800
- **Pct25Wage:** 30530
- **Pct75Wage:** 42860
- **Pct90Wage:** 48320
- **Employment:** 448260
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 172560 | 37280 | 2.57 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 144720 | 34010 | 3.65 |
| 72 | 72 | Accommodation and Food Services | Sector | 86900 | 37560 | 2.1 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 6300 | 35010 | 0.24 |
| 44-45 | 44-45 | Retail Trade | Sector | 6200 | 29410 | 0.14 |
| 623220 | 623220 | Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities | National industry | 4420 | 39810 | 5.88 |
| 624120 | 624120 | Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities | National industry | 4160 | 32860 | 0.59 |
| 71 | 71 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | Sector | 3600 | 36880 | 0.47 |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector | 3520 | 36210 | 0.27 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 2730 | 35620 | 0.35 |
| 53 | 53 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | Sector | 1590 | 38880 | 0.23 |
| 623210 | 623210 | Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities | National industry | 1220 | 35180 | 1.08 |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 623220 | 623220 | Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities | National industry | 4420 | 5.88 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 144720 | 3.65 |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 172560 | 2.57 |
| 72 | 72 | Accommodation and Food Services | Sector | 86900 | 2.1 |
| 623210 | 623210 | Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities | National industry | 1220 | 1.08 |
| 621420 | 621420 | Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers | National industry | 700 | 0.78 |
| 624120 | 624120 | Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities | National industry | 4160 | 0.59 |
| 71 | 71 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | Sector | 3600 | 0.47 |
- **Count:** 28

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.83 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -0.6360813 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -0.7715341 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -0.5586923 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 25
- **Percentile:** 22
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 30 | felten_aioe |
| 25 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 19 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -0.6360813 | 30 | Low | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.20689655172413793 | 25 | Low | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.07204160944656524 | 19 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.83
- **Percentile:** 68
- **Band:** High
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.034482758620689655
- **Beta:** 0.12068965517241378
- **Gamma:** 0.20689655172413793

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Clean, cut, and cook meat, fish, or poultry. | 0.0018487401862708444 | 4.54 |
| Determine meal prices, based on calculations of ingredient prices. | 0.0018487401862708444 | 3.72 |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 2
- **Growth Percentile:** 40
- **Direction:** About average
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 69.7
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 92
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 466.1
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 475.4

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 17
- **Skills:** 33
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 6
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** 1df64cdbc86a56b6