Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Food preparation and serving related workers, all other, represent a sizable occupation with 90,000 jobs nationally. This career offers entry into the broader food and hospitality field with a national median annual salary of $34,830. Projected employment growth of 6.4% and 15,000 annual openings suggest ongoing demand for these workers. Opportunities exist across the country, with specific states and metro areas showing especially strong conditions based on salary, employment levels, and overall opportunity scores. Workers in this field rely on a mix of physical, interpersonal, and organizational skills, and the typical education requirement is no formal educational credential, making it accessible to a wide range of job seekers. For students, career changers, or those seeking steady work without extensive schooling, this occupation can serve as a practical pathway into the workforce with room to apply and develop skills such as customer service, adaptability, and leadership over time.
For food preparation and serving related workers, all other, the national median annual salary is $34,830. Within this national picture, some states and metro areas offer notably higher median pay. Among states, Maryland stands out with a median salary of $37,500, followed by California at $36,910, Virginia at $35,870, and Colorado at $35,710. At the metro level, pay levels are even higher in several areas: San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA has a median salary of $44,720, and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA offers $41,970. Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH both report median salaries above $38,000. These figures show that while earnings start around the national median, choosing higher-paying states or metros can significantly increase income potential in this occupation.
Nationally, food preparation and serving related workers, all other, have employment of 90,000 and a projected employment growth rate of 6.4%. This growth projection indicates that the occupation is expected to expand. In addition, there are 15,000 annual openings, reflecting ongoing hiring needs, which may include both new positions and replacements. The 6.4% growth rate appears consistently across the listed top states and metro areas, suggesting a broadly similar growth outlook in different regions, from California and New York to Colorado, Virginia, and Maryland, as well as major metro areas such as San Jose, New York–Newark–Jersey City, and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont. For job seekers, this combination of existing employment, projected growth, and steady annual openings points to a career path with a continuing pipeline of opportunities across the country rather than being limited to a single region.
Location can make a meaningful difference for food preparation and serving related workers, all other. Among states, California combines a relatively high median salary of $36,910 with very high employment of 30,730 and the top opportunity score of 67.38. Maryland offers the highest listed state median salary at $37,500 and an opportunity score of 52.88, while Colorado and Virginia provide mid-$35,000s median salaries with opportunity scores between about 55 and 55. New York appears as a top state by opportunity score (65.78) even with a smaller reported employment figure of 380 in this category. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA leads with an opportunity score of 77.42 and a median salary of $44,720. The New York–Newark–Jersey City metro closely follows with an opportunity score of 77.27. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton also show higher median salaries and solid opportunity scores, suggesting particularly attractive local conditions within this field.
This occupation typically requires no formal educational credential, making it accessible to individuals who want to enter the workforce without completing a degree or certification program. Even without formal education requirements, success in food preparation and serving related roles relies on a strong mix of skills. Physical strength and stamina support the physical demands of the job, while fine motor and mechanical skills help with hands-on tasks. Customer service, interpersonal skills, and speaking and listening abilities are important for interacting effectively with others. Leadership and project management skills can be valuable for coordinating tasks or guiding small teams. Science knowledge and adaptability round out the skill profile, supporting problem-solving and adjustment to changing situations. For students and career changers, building these skills through work experience, volunteering, or informal training can strengthen competitiveness in this occupation despite the lack of formal education requirements.
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