Somewhat Resilient
Last Update: 10/7/2026
AI Resilience Score for Cooks, Fast Food:
48.8%
Median Score
Meaningful human contribution
Measures the parts of the occupation that still require a human touch. This score averages data from up to four AI exposure datasets, focusing on the role’s resilience against automation.
Med
Long-term employer demand
Predicts the health of the job market for this role through 2034. Using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, it balances projected annual job openings (60%) with overall employment growth (40%).
Med
Sustained economic opportunity
Measures future earning potential and career flexibility. This score is a blend of total projected labor income (67%) and the role’s inherent ability to adapt to economic and technological shifts (33%).
Low
This reflects the reliability of your score based on the number of data sources available for this career and how closely those sources agree on the outlook. A higher confidence means more consistent evidence from labor experts and AI models.
There are a reasonable number of sources for this result, but there is some disagreement between them.
AI Resilience Report forCooks, Fast Food
$30,890 median salary•86,400 annual openings•SOC Code: 35-2011.00
Cooks, Fast Food are somewhat less resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 7 sources.
Fast food cooking is "Somewhat Resilient" because while AI and robotics are definitely making their way into kitchens and drive-thrus, the technology is still expensive, sometimes unreliable, and not yet ready to take over everything. Robots like Flippy can handle frying, and AI can help manage orders and monitor performance, but the tasks that matter most, like keeping things clean, handling unexpected situations, and making customers feel welcome, still need real humans.
Learn more about how you can thrive in this position
This role is somewhat resilient
Fast food cooking is "Somewhat Resilient" because while AI and robotics are definitely making their way into kitchens and drive-thrus, the technology is still expensive, sometimes unreliable, and not yet ready to take over everything. Robots like Flippy can handle frying, and AI can help manage orders and monitor performance, but the tasks that matter most, like keeping things clean, handling unexpected situations, and making customers feel welcome, still need real humans.
Read full analysisAnalysis of current AI resilience
Cooks, Fast Food
Updated quarterly
How can Cooks, Fast Food prepare for AI?
Latest AI news for Cooks, Fast Food
These articles highlight how AI is transforming the fast food industry, which can shape careers for cooks. For instance, the AI Cooking Research Restaurant showcases innovative cooking methods that could inspire future culinary practices. Meanwhile, the potential for AI chatbots in drive-thrus suggests that cooks may shift towards more specialized roles instead of traditional tasks. Embracing AI can enhance skills and adaptability, ensuring that aspiring cooks remain resilient in a changing job landscape where technology complements rather than fully replaces human talent.
Fully AI-Powered Research Canteens: The AI Cooking Research Restaurant is Future-Focused
www.trendhunter.com • 6/15/2026
The AI Cooking Research Restaurant, located within Beijing's Haidian Canteen and developed in collaboration with China Agricultural...
Will drive-thru AI chatbots take jobs? | News
www.fox13memphis.com • 4/17/2026
A robot may soon take your Blizzard order at Dairy Queens across the country. The fast-food chain has become the latest to adopt AI chatbot...
AI is simultaneously aiding and replacing workers, wage data suggest
www.dallasfed.org • 2/24/2026
Artificial intelligence's impact on the labor market will depend on whether the technology automates or augments worker tasks.
Democrats demand ‘robot tax’ as AI reportedly threatens to replace 100M US jobs
www.foxbusiness.com • 10/6/2025
Fast food workers face 89% job loss rate as 15 workforce sectors could see majority of positions automated.
How AI Could Change Fast Food
www.thedailymeal.com • 6/24/2025
A.I. could revolutionize drive-thru ordering, food production, and many other aspects of the fast food industry, and some chains are already...
More Career Info
Career: Cooks, Fast Food
They prepare and cook quick meals like burgers and fries, ensuring orders are correct and ready for customers at fast food restaurants.
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Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
$30,890
Jobs (2025)
640,500
Growth (2025-35)
+0.6%
Annual Openings
86,400
Education
No formal educational credential
Experience
None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025-2035
Task-Level AI Resilience Scores
AI-generated estimates of task resilience over the next 3 years
1
Maintain sanitation, health, and safety standards in work areas.
2
Take out garbage.
3
Clean food preparation areas, cooking surfaces, and utensils.
4
Clean, stock, and restock workstations and display cases.
5
Wash, cut, and prepare foods designated for cooking.
6
Serve orders to customers at windows, counters, or tables.
7
Prepare specialty foods, such as pizzas, fish and chips, sandwiches, or tacos, following specific methods that usually require short preparation time.
Tasks are ranked by their AI resilience, with the most resilient tasks shown first. Core tasks are essential functions of this occupation, while supplemental tasks provide additional context.
