First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers

O*NET 35-1012.00 · SOC 35-1012

First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker is a solid career choice. Median pay is $44k a year with +5.4% projected growth through 2035 (about as fast as average) and about 171,500 openings a year. AI exposure: Elevated.

Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27

Projected Growth
+5.4%
2025–2035
Median Salary
$44k
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Annual Openings
172k
positions/year
Education Level
Zone 2
Some preparation needed (high school or short training)

What You'd Actually Do

  • →Schedule shifts and assign stations to food service staff.
  • →Monitor food quality and presentation before serving customers.
  • →Train new employees on food safety and service procedures.
  • →Resolve customer complaints about food or service quickly.
  • →Count cash drawers and reconcile sales at shift end.

Education & How to Get In

🎓
Job Zone 2
Some preparation needed (high school or short training)

First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker roles typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, with most training happening on the job. This makes it one of the more accessible career paths, you can often start working while earning certifications or completing short-term training programs.

Get Started Learning

Ready to start building skills for a career as a First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker? These platforms offer courses you can start today, many with free trials or financial aid.

Coursera
University-backed courses and certificates
Browse courses →
Udemy
Affordable self-paced courses from $12.99
Browse courses →
Skillshare
Creative and professional skill classes
Browse courses →
LinkedIn Learning
Professional development with certificates
Browse courses →

Links open in a new tab. Some may include affiliate partnerships.

Work Environment

Primary Setting

Leadership, offices, client meetings, or hybrid

Work Style

Collaborative, frequent interaction with teams, clients, or patients

A Day in the Life

While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as a First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker involves a mix of core responsibilities:

MorningSchedule shifts and assign stations to food service staff.
MiddayMonitor food quality and presentation before serving customers.
AfternoonTrain new employees on food safety and service procedures.

Personality Fit (RIASEC)

Enterprising (Persuaders)6.4
Conventional (Organizers)4.7
Realistic (Doers)4.6
Social (Helpers)3.4
Investigative (Thinkers)1.4
Artistic (Creators)1.3

Who Thrives as First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker?

Based on the interests and work style this role actually demands, these personality types tend to fit it best. Salary and growth tell you if a career is worth entering; personality fit tells you whether you'll still want it in five years.

ESTJThe ExecutiveESFJThe ProviderESTPThe DynamoENTJThe Commander

Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →

See Open First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker Roles

Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.

Indeed ↗LinkedIn Jobs ↗ZipRecruiter ↗

Similar Careers

Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials+5.2%First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers+1.8%First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers+4.1%First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers+3.7%First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers+4%First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers+5%Food Service Managers+5.8%First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers+3.2%

Explore More Careers

Best Business Careers →Best Trades & Skilled Labor Careers →Browse all careers →

Job Outlook

Employment of First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers is projected to grow 5.4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average for all occupations.

Will AI Replace This Job?

47/100Elevated disruption risk
  • ·38% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target
  • ·34% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace

Scored from the mix of routine, creative, physical and social tasks the role involves, adjusted for sector and projected growth. An estimate, not a forecast.

Common Questions

How much does a First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker make?

The median First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker earns $44k a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. Half earn more than that and half earn less, and pay varies considerably by state, industry and experience.

Will AI replace First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker jobs?

Our model puts First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker at 47 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is elevated disruption risk. The main drivers: 38% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target; 34% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace.

Is First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker a growing field?

Employment is projected to grow 5.4% between 2025 and 2035, which is about as fast as average. That works out to roughly 171,500 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.

What degree do you need to be a First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker?

Most First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker roles need a high school diploma or equivalent, with training happening on the job. A degree is not the usual route in.

How long does it take to become a First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker?

Typically under a year, usually a high school diploma plus short training. O*NET classes this role as Job Zone 2 of 5, which describes how much preparation people in it usually have.

Is a First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker career right for you?

Your personality, values, and strengths matter as much as the job market. Take the quiz to see your personalized Future-Fit Score for this career and hundreds more.

Take the assessment →

Free to take · Matches $9 · No account required · 7 minutes