Cafeteria Cook

Explore This Path

Ideal for those passionate about cooking and serving communities.
Nourish and support students and patients with delicious, safe meals.
Master the art of large-scale cooking with diverse dietary needs.

💰 Earn $38K-$50K

📚 NO DEGREE REQUIRED

⏱️ 6–12 MONTH TRAINING

📈 3.3% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.

Monitor and record food temperatures to ensure food safety.
Cook foodstuffs according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, or numbers of portions to be served.
Rotate and store food supplies.
Wash pots, pans, dishes, utensils, or other cooking equipment.
Apportion and serve food to facility residents, employees, or patrons.

Scoop

Minimum Education

None

Career Prospects

Good (Increasing by 1-5%)

Training Time

6 months to 1 year

Job Openings

71,000 Annually

Median Earnings

$44,940 in California

$35,320 Nationally

$25K

$50K

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$250K

Real Talk Reel

Want to see what it's like to be a Cafeteria Cook? We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life.

@akajusteese

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Using data or completing tasks
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Coordination
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Speaking
Time Management

You value 🙏

Having support
Having freedom
Personal relationships

Deep Dive

Cafeteria Cook

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years

Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship typically offers a combination of hands-on training and classroom instruction, leading to practical skills, industry-specific knowledge, and the potential for long-term employment in a specific trade or profession.

🎓 Paid Work

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-5 years

Workforce Development Program

A workforce development program typically enhances participants' opportunities to succeed in the workforce through employment skill-building, career counseling, connections to employers, and pathways to high-demand and high-wage jobs.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years