Food Preparation Worker
Also called: Cook, Deli Clerk (Delicatessen Clerk), Dietary Aide, Food Service Worker (FSW)
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
What does a Food Preparation Worker do?
- Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.
- Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.
- Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers.
How to become a Food Preparation Worker
Training: A high school diploma or GED or some college. Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Skills you'll use
Is it a fit for you?
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Tools and technology
Questions people ask
How much does a Food Preparation Worker make?
About $35,320 a year at the U.S. median. Most earn between $25,810 and $45,340. Pay depends on the state, the employer and experience.
How long does it take to become a Food Preparation Worker?
Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Do you need a college degree to be a Food Preparation Worker?
No four-year degree is needed. A high school diploma or GED or some college.
Is Food Preparation Worker a good career to get into?
O*NET lists it as a Bright Outlook career: it's expected to grow quickly or have lots of openings in the next few years.
Related careers
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Build my free kit →National wage figures via O*NET Web Services. This application incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Figures are national estimates and vary by state, employer and experience. Career details from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.