Who's on the clock?

Food Preparation Workers vs Dishwashers

Side by side: how much of the shift AI and robots touch, pay, outlook and training.

Time card for food preparation workers: 49m of an 8-hour shift touched by AI or robotsTime card: Food Preparation Workers →

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Food preparation workers or dishwashers: which will AI change more? AI and robots touch more of the day for dishwashers: 3h 56m of an 8-hour shift, against 49m for food preparation workers. Median pay is about the same: $35,320 and $34,810.

The two jobs share very close skills, including troubleshooting, quality control analysis, so moving between them is realistic for many people.

Food Preparation Workers
49mof an 8-hour shift touched by AI or robotsLess AI time
  • 7h 11mDone by people
  • 0mPeople do it with AI's help
  • 0mAI mostly does it alone
  • 49mRobots have done it somewhere
Median pay
$35,320
U.S. workers
894,000
Outlook to 2035
-3%
Openings a year
136,000
Typical preparation
High school diploma, some training
See the full time card →
Dishwashers
3h 56mof an 8-hour shift touched by AI or robots
  • 4h 4mDone by people
  • 0mPeople do it with AI's help
  • 0mAI mostly does it alone
  • 3h 56mRobots have done it somewhere
Median pay
$34,810
U.S. workers
477,000
Outlook to 2035
-1%
Openings a year
69,000
Typical preparation
Little or no preparation
See the full time card →

Food Preparation Workers

Where AI or robots show up most

  • Weigh or measure ingredients. 16m
  • Load dishes, glasses, and tableware into dishwashing machines. 16m
  • Add cutlery, napkins, food, and other items to trays on assembly lines in hospitals, cafeterias, airline kitchens, and similar establishments. 8m

Biggest tasks still done by people

  • Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware. 49m
  • Wash, peel, and cut various foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to prepare for cooking or serving. 49m
  • Prepare a variety of foods, such as meats, vegetables, or desserts, according to customers' orders or supervisors' instructions, following approved procedures. 41m

Dishwashers

Where AI or robots show up most

  • Wash dishes, glassware, flatware, pots, or pans, using dishwashers or by hand. 3h 48m
  • Load or unload trucks that deliver or pick up food or supplies. 8m

Biggest tasks still done by people

  • Maintain kitchen work areas, equipment, or utensils in clean and orderly condition. 49m
  • Place clean dishes, utensils, or cooking equipment in storage areas. 49m
  • Sweep or scrub floors. 41m

Swap in a different job Highlighted numbers are the higher of the two. Hours are estimates from each job's time card.