Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
May 2024 national BLS data. Figures are national medians and percentiles from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (May 2024); your local market, employer and experience will differ. Wage data ages — this reflects the May 2024 release, verified June 2026. Informational only, not career, salary-negotiation or financial advice.
The Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations major group (SOC 35-0000) encompasses 17 detailed occupations involved in preparing and serving food and beverages in a variety of settings. As of May 2024, this occupational group employed 13,613,490 workers nationally, making it one of the larger employment sectors in the economy.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey for May 2024, the national median annual wage for this group was $34,130, with a mean annual wage of $36,020. However, individual occupations within this umbrella category experience substantial wage variation around these figures. Workers should recognize that actual earnings for specific positions such as fast food workers, line cooks, dishwashers, and servers differ considerably based on the detailed occupation, geographic location, establishment type, and other factors.
Look up a salary →Occupations in Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
| Occupation | Median pay | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $60,990 | 182,320 |
| Cooks, Private Household | $44,530 | 900 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $42,010 | 1,187,460 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,830 | 1,452,130 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,450 | 448,260 |
| Cooks, All Other | $36,210 | 23,590 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,620 | 150,420 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $34,830 | 89,580 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,460 | 271,780 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $34,220 | 888,770 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $33,760 | 2,302,690 |
| Dishwashers | $33,670 | 471,670 |
| Bartenders | $33,530 | 745,610 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $32,670 | 522,010 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,480 | 3,780,930 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $30,380 | 427,150 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,160 | 668,230 |
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 national (public domain), verified June 2026. How we compile this.