Can Agents Work?

Jobs / Food service, cleaning, and personal care / 35-2012.00

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.

US jobs
441,050
Median wage
$37,450 a year
Job family
Food service, cleaning, and personal care

Can agents do the work of cooks, institution and cafeteria?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Food service, cleaning, and personal care: Not yet (first measured in the last 12 months)

Direct benchmarks exist, but agents complete less than 20% of their tasks.

Evidence: BEHAVIOR Challenge 2025, 12.4% of tasks fully completed (Full task success rate).

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.

  • 20%Prepare foods or beveragesNot measured
  • 11%Monitor operations to ensure adequate performanceNot measured
  • 8%Replenish inventories of materials, equipment, or productsNot measured
  • 8%Maintain operational recordsNot measured
  • 7%Clean workpieces, finished products, or other objectsNot measured
  • 7%Provide food or beverage servicesNot measured
  • 7%Inspect facilities or equipmentNot measured
  • 6%Train others on operational or work proceduresNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in food service, cleaning, and personal care, not always this occupation's tasks.

Direct evidence

Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Monitor and record food temperatures to ensure food safety.
  • Cook foodstuffs according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, or numbers of portions to be served.
  • Rotate and store food supplies.
  • Wash pots, pans, dishes, utensils, or other cooking equipment.
  • Apportion and serve food to facility residents, employees, or patrons.
  • Clean and inspect galley equipment, kitchen appliances, and work areas to ensure cleanliness and functional operation.
  • Clean, cut, and cook meat, fish, or poultry.
  • Direct activities of one or more workers who assist in preparing and serving meals.
  • Train new employees.
  • Take inventory of supplies and equipment.
  • Requisition food supplies, kitchen equipment, and appliances, based on estimates of future needs.
  • Bake breads, rolls, or other pastries.
Other job titles for this occupation (23)

Cafeteria Cook · Cook · Dietary Cook · Dinner Cook · Food Service Specialist · Food Service Worker · Prep Cook (Preparatory Cook) · School Cook · Sous Chef · Boarding House Cook · Camp Cook · Culinary Specialist · Dietary Aide · Galley Cook · Institutional Cook · Kitchen Cook · Line Cook · Mess Cook · Nutrition Care Specialist · Ranch Cook · School Cafeteria Cook · Ship's Cook · Special Diet Cook