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Food Preparation Worker

Life As a Food Preparation Worker

Example of Food Preparation Worker Job Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.

List of Food Preparation Worker Job Duties

  • Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.
  • Butcher and clean fowl, fish, poultry, and shellfish to prepare for cooking or serving.
  • Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.
  • Stock cupboards and refrigerators, and tend salad bars and buffet meals.
  • Load dishes, glasses, and tableware into dishwashing machines.
  • Place food trays over food warmers for immediate service, or store them in refrigerated storage cabinets.

Skills Needed to be a Food Preparation Worker

When polled, Food Preparation Workers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

  • Salad Bar Clerk
  • Deli Slicer
  • Coffee Brewer
  • Food Service Worker
  • Kitchen Team Crew Member

Food Preparation Worker Employment Estimates

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 871,100 jobs in the United States for Food Preparation Worker. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 68,600 new jobs for Food Preparation Worker by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 157,700 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Food Preparation Worker are Arizona, Utah, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Ohio, or West Virginia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Average Food Preparation Workers Salary

The typical yearly salary for Food Preparation Workers is somewhere between $18,040 and $33,670.

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Food Preparation Workers who work in District of Columbia, Washington, or Nevada, make the highest salaries.

How much do Food Preparation Workers make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $22,010
Alaska $29,550
Arizona $25,000
Arkansas $22,810
California $27,910
Colorado $27,500
Connecticut $28,940
Delaware $22,360
District of Columbia $31,510
Florida $24,190
Georgia $21,550
Hawaii $28,660
Idaho $22,910
Illinois $25,200
Indiana $22,070
Iowa $22,930
Kansas $21,360
Kentucky $22,340
Louisiana $18,820
Maine $25,690
Maryland $25,530
Massachusetts $29,980
Michigan $24,080
Minnesota $27,450
Mississippi $19,310
Missouri $22,340
Montana $22,600
Nebraska $24,290
Nevada $28,910
New Hampshire $24,560
New Jersey $24,450
New Mexico $22,440
New York $28,520
North Carolina $22,490
North Dakota $26,160
Ohio $23,090
Oklahoma $20,750
Oregon $26,770
Pennsylvania $23,100
Rhode Island $29,730
South Carolina $23,400
South Dakota $22,710
Tennessee $22,160
Texas $23,540
Utah $24,520
Vermont $27,220
Virginia $22,200
Washington $30,340
West Virginia $22,060
Wisconsin $23,010
Wyoming $23,780

What Tools & Technology do Food Preparation Workers Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Food Preparation Workers may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office
  • YouTube
  • Culinary Software Services ChefTec
  • ValuSoft MasterCook
  • EGS CALCMENU
  • iPro
  • Barrington Software CookenPro Commercial

How do I Become a Food Preparation Worker?

Individuals working as a Food Preparation Worker have obtained the following education levels:

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Food Preparation Worker?

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Who Employs Food Preparation Workers?

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Food Preparation Workers work in the following industries:

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those interested in being a Food Preparation Worker may also be interested in:

Those who work as a Food Preparation Worker sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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