Food service and hospitality careers: pay and entry routes
Food service is the classic first job and a genuine career ladder: line cook to head cook, server to supervisor to manager. Entry barriers are low — most roles train on the job in weeks — and progression is fast for people who stay.
The list below ranks every food preparation and serving occupation by median annual pay.
- Occupations
- 18
- Pay range
- $30,890–$62,470
- Top median
- $62,470
Food service and hospitality occupations, ranked by median pay
Median annual wage, national, BLS May 2025.
Chefs and Head CooksGrowingMedium preparation needed · 200,040 employed$62,470median / yrCooks, Private HouseholdGrowingMedium preparation needed · 1,100 employed$47,940median / yrFirst-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving WorkersGrowingLittle to some preparation needed · 1,223,240 employed$44,080median / yrCooks, All OtherGrowingPreparation level not rated · 19,350 employed$37,690median / yrCooks, Institution and CafeteriaLittle to some preparation needed · 441,050 employed$37,450median / yrCooks, RestaurantGrowingLittle to some preparation needed · 1,409,890 employed$37,390median / yrCooks, Short OrderLittle to some preparation needed · 138,650 employed$35,880median / yrFood Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All OtherGrowingPreparation level not rated · 84,630 employed$35,840median / yrFood Servers, NonrestaurantLittle to some preparation needed · 293,900 employed$35,360median / yrFood Preparation WorkersGrowingLittle to some preparation needed · 893,600 employed$35,320median / yrWaiters and WaitressesGrowingLittle to some preparation needed · 2,270,910 employed$35,230median / yrDishwashersGrowingLittle to some preparation needed · 477,450 employed$34,810median / yrBartendersGrowingLittle to some preparation needed · 756,390 employed$34,340median / yrDining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender HelpersGrowingLittle to some preparation needed · 542,750 employed$33,980median / yrFast Food and Counter WorkersGrowingLittle to some preparation needed · 3,854,050 employed$31,200median / yrBaristasGrowingLittle to some preparation needed · 3,854,050 employed$31,200median / yrHosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee ShopGrowingLittle to some preparation needed · 432,690 employed$31,200median / yrCooks, Fast FoodGrowingLittle to some preparation needed · 641,070 employed$30,890median / yr
Fastest growing food service and hospitality occupations
Projected employment growth, 2024–34.