Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
O*NET 35-3041.00 · SOC 35-3041
Food Server is a solid career choice. Median pay is $35k a year with +4.5% projected growth through 2035 (about as fast as average) and about 48,800 openings a year. AI exposure: Moderate.
Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27
What You'd Actually Do
- →Deliver meal trays to patients in hospital rooms
- →Serve hot food to residents in nursing home cafeterias
- →Collect used trays and dishes after residents finish eating
- →Record special dietary needs and food allergies for clients
- →Restock food carts with beverages and condiments before rounds
Education & How to Get In
Food Server 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
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Work Environment
Hands-on, labs, workshops, or field sites
Mixed, alternates between solo focused work and collaboration
A Day in the Life
While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as a Food Server involves a mix of core responsibilities:
Personality Fit (RIASEC)
Who Thrives as Food Server?
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.
Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →
See Open Food Server Roles
Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.
Similar Careers
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Job Outlook
Employment of Food Servers, Nonrestaurant is projected to grow 4.5% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average for all occupations.
Will AI Replace This Job?
- ·34% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace
- ·28% physical tasks, limited by robotics progress
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 Food Server make?
The median Food Server earns $35k 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 Food Server jobs?
Our model puts Food Server at 43 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is moderate, likely AI-complementary. The main drivers: 34% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace; 28% physical tasks, limited by robotics progress.
Is Food Server a growing field?
Employment is projected to grow 4.5% between 2025 and 2035, which is about as fast as average. That works out to roughly 48,800 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.
What degree do you need to be a Food Server?
Most Food Server 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 Food Server?
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 Food Server 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.
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