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Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food

Did You Know:*

  • Most jobs are part-time and have few educational requirements, attracting many young people to the occupation-21 percent of these workers were 16 to 19 years old in 2008, about six times the proportion for all workers.
  • Job openings are expected to be abundant through 2018, which will create excellent opportunities for job seekers.
  • Tips comprise a major portion of earnings for servers, so keen competition is expected for jobs in fine dining and more popular restaurants where potential tips are greatest.

Industry Areas

  • Limited-Service Eating Places
  • Elementary and Secondary Schools
  • Full-Service Restaurants

Day-to-Day Tasks*

  • Serve customers in eating places that specialize in fast service and inexpensive carry-out food.
  • Accept payment from customers, and make change as necessary.
  • Request and record customer orders, and compute bills using cash registers, multicounting machines, or pencil and paper.

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Overall Kind of Work*

Food and beverage serving and related workers are the front line of customer service in full-service restaurants, casual dining eateries and other food service establishments. These workers greet ...

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Work Environment*

Civilian

Food and beverage service workers are on their feet most of the time and often carry heavy trays of food, dishes and glassware. During busy dining periods, they are under pressure to serve custome...

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Workweek Breakdown

The hours worked per week by people currently pursuing this career.

Pie Chart Representing the section data
  • 21.49% (0-20 Hours)
  • 28.61% (21-34 Hours)
  • 21.07% (35-39 Hours)
  • 24.67% (40 Hours)
  • 4.16% (Over 50 Hours)

This data also pertains to Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food (35-3021)

Type of Work

The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.

Data: Low
People: High
Things: Medium

Skills at a Glance

The levels of different skills helpful in this career.

Verbal skills: Low
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Low
Equipment Operation & Maintenance: Medium
Math & Science Skills: Medium
Technology Design & Control: Low
Leadership: Medium

Workplace at a Glance

The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.

Responsibility: Medium
Exposure to Job Hazards: Medium
Physical Activity: High
Decision Making: Low
Repetitiveness: Medium
Level of Competition: High
Time Pressure: Low

Business Breakdown

The different sectors people in this career currently work in.

Pie Chart Representing the section data
  • 95.24% (Private For-Profit)
  • 1.85% (Private Not For-Profit)
  • 1.84% (State and Local Govt)
  • 0.23% (Federal Government)
  • 0.84% (Self-Employed)