Fast Food and Counter Workers
Food Preparation and Serving Related
Takes orders at a counter or steam table, rings them up or writes them down, accepts payment, and makes change. Food and drinks go out to people waiting for carry-out or a quick meal—in restaurants, lunchrooms, workplaces, hotel rooms, or to people in cars. Between customers, the work includes restocking supplies, balancing the register, and handling comments or complaints. Sweeping, mopping, and washing dishes keep the place sanitary. Fits people who want steady customer contact, accurate money handling, and a pace that moves from one order to the next.
Typical education: Less than a High School Diploma
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$31'200
Median Wage Market Position
$31'200
What you might do
- Take and record orders at the counter
- Serve food from a steam table
- Take payment and make change
- Balance the register's cash and receipts
- Restock food and order more supplies
- Sweep, mop, and wash dishes
Skills that matter
- Recording orders and computing bills
- Accurate change at the register
- Handling comments and order complaints
- Balancing receipts against register totals
- Restocking food and supply items
- Keeping equipment and dining areas sanitary
AI & the future of this role
Kiosks and automated ordering may take over more of the routine order-taking and payment work. Hands-on food prep, speed under pressure, and face-to-face problem-solving still matter, though demand for purely counter roles could soften.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details