How to become a cook, short order
Prepare and cook to order a variety of foods that require only a short preparation time. May take orders from customers and serve patrons at counters or tables.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
What cooks, short order do
- Plan work on orders so that items served together are finished at the same time.
- Perform general cleaning activities in kitchen and dining areas.
- Take orders from customers and cook foods requiring short preparation times, according to customer requirements.
- Clean food preparation equipment, work areas, and counters or tables.
- Restock kitchen supplies, rotate food, and stamp the time and date on food in coolers.
- Perform food preparation tasks, such as making sandwiches, carving meats, making soups or salads, baking breads or desserts, and brewing coffee or tea.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Mathematics
Is cook, short order a good career?
On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 30% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- Arizona $46,630
- Massachusetts $44,290
- Hawaii $43,110
- California $42,930
- Washington $42,760
Cooks, Short Order salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.