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High Risk Declining

Food Prep Worker

Food preparation workers perform routine tasks like cutting vegetables, measuring ingredients, and maintaining kitchen cleanliness to support cooks and chefs.

Food Prep Worker has an AI risk score of 72/100 (High Risk). The median salary is $31,000 with 890,000 people employed. The safest transition path is Line Cook with a risk score of 55/100.

$31,000
Median Salary
890,000
Total Employed
3
Career Transitions
AI Risk Score
0 %
High Risk

Higher risk than 87% of jobs in our database

How we calculate this score →
Pivot Score 45/100

Moderate pivot potential — some transitions require new skills.

But here's the thing

Yes, Food Prep Worker is changing. But your experience isn't worthless — 80% of what you already know applies directly to Line Cook. That's not starting over. That's building on what you have.

Know a Food Prep Worker? Send them this. WhatsApp Email

While You Plan Your Next Move

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Automation Risk Analysis

Real-time market signals

AI Can Do This Today
8/10 Very High
Job Postings
-20%
since 2020
Automation Timeline
2-4 years
until major impact

Why This Job Is At Risk

Highly repetitive tasks ideal for automation

Robotic arms now capable of precise cutting and portioning

Pre-prepared ingredients from central facilities reducing need

Cost pressures driving automation in high-volume kitchens

Leaving This Role: 350K-500K as central kitchens and automation scale
Competition Level: High - entry-level workers with limited paths
Your Head Start: Urgent - develop cooking skills or pivot out of food service

Job Market Data

Real trends from multiple job platforms

Moderate Demand
Current Employment
888.8K
BLS (2026)
Projected Growth
0%
2024-2034
Annual Openings
0
per year (growth + replacements)

Listing Trends

5 sources tracked
🇺🇸 United States
vs. Feb 2026
219 listings
+5%
🇩🇪 Germany
vs. Feb 2026
5.4K listings
-11%
🇫🇷 France
vs. Feb 2026
6.3K listings
+10%
🇪🇸 Spain
vs. Feb 2026
933 listings
+4%
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
first snapshot
6 listings
-7%
Sources: AdzunaArbeitsagenturFrance TravailReedJooble
Updated Mar 18, 2026

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