Cooks, Fast Food
Description OES Code: 65032
Prepare and cook food in a fast food restaurant with a limited menu. Duties of the cooks are limited to preparation of a few basic items and normally involve operating large-volume single-purpose cooking equipment.

Wages, California
Entry-Level Hourly Wage minimum
25th Percentile minimum
50th Percentile $7.11
75th Percentile $8.28

Wages, San Joaquin County
Entry-Level Hourly Wage minimum
25th Percentile minimum
50th Percentile $6.62
75th Percentile $7.74

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Hours & Benefits
Full-time cooks work eight hours a day, five days a week, and their shift can include weekends. In restaurants that are open 24 hours, cooks may work on any of three shifts; beginners may start on the night shift. Many jobs are part time for a few hours a day. Some cooks work fewer than five days a week. Most full-time cooks get paid vacation and sick leave; some also get medical and dental insurance. Most cooks get a free or low cost meal at work.

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1998 53.600
Projected Employment 2008 66,500
Percent Change 1998-2008 24.1%
Separations 1998-2008 15,700

Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
Employment 1999 590
Projected Employment 2006 710
Percent Change 1999-2006 20.3%
Separations 1999-2006 120

Employment Trends by California County

Working Conditions
Cooks are on their feet and moving all the time. They work under pressure during busy meal times when they may cook more than five orders at one time. Temperatures change as they move back and forth between a hot kitchen and a cold refrigerated room. They can get burns from spitting grease, cuts from sharp knives and forks, and may fall on slippery floors.

Advancement
Cooks may become head cooks or move to other restaurants for better paying jobs. Cooks who work for restaurants that have more than one location may become manager trainees. Those cooks who take more training may become dinner cooks or chefs. Cooks interested in owning their own restaurants should take business management classes at a community college or adult education program or call the federal Small Business Administration for information about running a business.

Getting the Job & Other Information
Job seekers can apply at the California Employment Development Department Job Service and to restaurants. Newspaper ads and school career centers list job openings.

For a list of current job listing, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Education and Training
Because they know their work, many employers train their kitchen helpers, dishwashers or bus persons to be cooks. Applicants with some basic experience or training in restaurant work may begin as prep cooks, griddle cooks, cooks' helpers or cook trainees.

Skills & Other Requirements
All cooks have to be clean and wear clean clothing, be in good health and have normal vision. They work with both hands and must move around quickly in a small work-space. They have to keep track of many things at once. They are on their feet for long periods at a time to do their work. Employers look for workers who will show up for work on time everyday. They often call high schools to get attendance reports for applicants to find out if they will be dependable workers. They must be able to work fast without making mistakes during rush hours. They also need to speak and read English in most restaurants and do simple arithmetic to follow recipes. Cooks have to be able to work closely with other workers in a small, sometimes crowded area.

References
California Occupational Guide #366

Related Occupations: Cooks and Chefs, Bakers, Kitchen Helpers

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)