Chefs and Head Cooks

AUTOMATION RISK
CALCULATED
12%
risk level
POLLING
35%
Based on 461 votes
LABOR DEMAND
GROWTH
15.4%
by 2031
WAGES
$56,520
or $27.17 hourly
VOLUME
160,190
as of 2022
SUMMARY
JOB SCORE
7.0/10

Automation risk

12% (Minimal Risk)

Minimal Risk (0-20%): Occupations in this category have a low probability of being automated, as they typically demand complex problem-solving, creativity, strong interpersonal skills, and a high degree of manual dexterity. These jobs often involve intricate hand movements and precise coordination, making it difficult for machines to replicate the required tasks.

More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.

Some quite important qualities of the job are difficult to automate:

  • Social Perceptiveness

  • Originality

  • Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

  • Assisting and Caring for Others

  • Manual Dexterity

  • Negotiation

  • Finger Dexterity

  • Persuasion

User poll

35% chance of full automation within the next two decades

Our visitors have voted that there is a small chance this occupation will be replaced. This assessment is further supported by the calculated automation risk level, which estimates 12% chance of automation.

What do you think the risk of automation is?

What is the likelihood that this occupation will be replaced by robots or AI in the next 20 years?






Growth

Very fast growth relative to other professions

The number of 'Chefs and Head Cooks' job openings is expected to rise 15.4% by 2031

Total employment, and estimated job openings

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the period between 2021 and 2031.
Updated projections are due Sep 2023.

Wages

Moderately paid relative to other professions

In 2022, the median annual wage for 'Chefs and Head Cooks' was $56,520, or $27.17 per hour

'Chefs and Head Cooks' were paid 22.0% higher than the national median wage, which stood at $46,310

Wages over time

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Volume

Greater range of job opportunities compared to other professions

As of 2022 there were 160,190 people employed as Chefs and Head Cooks within the United States.

This represents around 0.11% of the employed workforce across the country.

Put another way, around 1 in 923 people are employed as Chefs and Head Cooks.

Job description

Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.

SOC Code: 35-1011.00

Resources

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Comments

nic (Small chance) says
Being a good professional chef/cook is a more difficult job than being a household cook or a regular cook. It requires experience, knowledge, and sometimes complicated techniques. Additionally, some creativity and sensory perception are necessary.
Jan 27, 2022 at 08:10 AM
luis says
A machine that helps weigh the ingredients with the exact weight to speed up cooking and can produce more food. That would be in a macro food business, thank you
May 19, 2021 at 01:07 AM
james (No chance) says
because you need people to taste the food and react to different ways of making it e.g you may need to mix something longer depending on the day
Jun 22, 2020 at 08:22 AM
Grace (Likely) says
I love cooking and I do it pretty well, but I believe that if you give a machine the list of ingredients and clear instructions or algorithms about how to prepare a meal it can definitely do it and then learn about it.
Feb 13, 2020 at 12:49 AM

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