Food Preparation Workers
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
Also called: Back of House Team Member (BOH Team Member), Cafeteria Aide, Carver, Caterer, Caterer Helper, Catering Assistant
Median pay
$35,320
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$25,810 – $45,340
People employed
893,600
Holland code
RCS
Realistic · Conventional · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 2.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 3.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 4.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
Food Preparation Workers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What food preparation workers do
- 01Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.
- 02Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.
- 03Distribute food to waiters and waitresses to serve to customers.
- 04Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers.
- 05Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.
- 06Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Learning Strategies
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Food Production
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from food preparation workers
- Butchers and Meat Cutters88% · +14%
- Bakers83% · +5%
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant82% · 0%
- Fast Food and Counter Workers82% · −12%
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers81% · −4%
Change into food preparation workers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Butchers and Meat Cutters87% · $40,140
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant85% · $35,360
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers84% · $33,980
- Bakers83% · $37,160
- Baristas83% · $31,200