Food Preparation & Serving
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Also called: Cafeteria Cook, Cook, Dietary Cook, Dinner Cook
US median pay
$37,450
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+2.8%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
62,900
454,000 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
What they do day to day
- Monitor and record food temperatures to ensure food safety.
- Cook foodstuffs according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, or numbers of portions to be served.
- Rotate and store food supplies.
- Wash pots, pans, dishes, utensils, or other cooking equipment.
- Apportion and serve food to facility residents, employees, or patrons.
- Clean and inspect galley equipment, kitchen appliances, and work areas to ensure cleanliness and functional operation.
- Clean, cut, and cook meat, fish, or poultry.
- Direct activities of one or more workers who assist in preparing and serving meals.
- Train new employees.
- Take inventory of supplies and equipment.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Service Orientation3.1/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.1/5
- Operations Monitoring3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Management of Personnel Resources3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
Knowledge
- English Language3.6/5
- Food Production3.6/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.6/5
- Mathematics3.5/5
- Administration and Management3.3/5
- Production and Processing3.1/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma71%
- Post-secondary certificate14%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.