What Cooks, Short Order do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Cooks, Short Order this way: "Prepare and cook to order a variety of foods that require only a short preparation time. May take orders from customers and serve patrons at counters or tables."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Clean food preparation equipment, work areas, and counters or tables"; "Plan work on orders so that items served together are finished at the same time"; "Grill, cook, and fry foods such as french fries, eggs, and pancakes"; "Take orders from customers and cook foods requiring short preparation times, according to customer requirements"; "Complete orders from steam tables, placing food on plates and serving customers at tables or counters".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is no formal educational credential. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Cooks, Short Order
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 138,700 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 131,500 in 2035, a decrease of 7,200 jobs (-5.2%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 17,400 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 12.5% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $35,880, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Cooks, Short Order earn the most
Across the 3 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $34,856 in New Jersey to $42,087 in California, a gap of $7,231 (1.21 times). 1 of those 3 states average above the BLS national median of $35,880 and 2 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 30,070, which is 49.9% of the 60,240 counted across them. New York follows with 18,570.
Highest-paying states
California ($42,087), New York ($35,446) and New Jersey ($34,856) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($34,856) and New York ($35,446) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Cooks, Short Order: pay against the cost of living
We compare 3 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at -$1,316. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $11,685 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 0 of the 3 markets and falls short in 3. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 79.0% and 112.1% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Cooks, Short Order
Cooks, Restaurant, Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria and Cooks, Fast Food belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (35-2000) include Food Preparation Workers.
Frequently asked questions about Cooks, Short Order
How much do Cooks, Short Order earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $35,880. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $34,856 to $42,087.
Which state pays Cooks, Short Order the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $42,087. New York is next at $35,446.
Is Cooks, Short Order a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 5.2% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 17,400 openings a year.
What education do Cooks, Short Order need?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Cooks, Short Order afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: -$1,316 on a median wage of $35,360.