Fast Food and Counter Workers

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Career Profile

Fast Food and Counter Workers

What they do

Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages. Serve customers at counter or from a steam table. May take payment. May prepare food and beverages.

Also Called: Cafe Server, Cafeteria Server, Concession Cashier, Deli Worker (Delicatessen Worker), Food Server, Food Service Aide, Food Service Assistant, Food Service Worker, School Cafeteria Cook, Snack Bar Attendant, Cafe Server, Cafeteria Server, Concession Cashier, Deli Worker (Delicatessen Worker), Food Server, Food Service Aide, Food Service Assistant, Food Service Worker, School Cafeteria Cook, Snack Bar Attendant

MO Employment Data

*State data provided by O*NET & BLS
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$28,600
Starting Salary (2025)
$30,390
Median Salary (2025)
6.1%
Projected Job Growth
29,360
MO Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

Clean and organize eating, service, and kitchen areas.
Prepare daily food items, and cook simple foods and beverages, such as sandwiches, salads, soups, pizza, or coffee, using proper safety precautions and sanitary measures.
Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping, mopping, and washing dishes, to keep equipment and facilities sanitary.
Serve customers in eating places that specialize in fast service and inexpensive carry-out food.
Collect and return dirty dishes to the kitchen for washing.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Realistic
Practical, Physical Work
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Enterprising
Business based Work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Cooperation
Self-Control
Dependability
Stress Tolerance
Integrity
Concern for Others

What key skills are needed for this job?

Service Orientation
Active Listening
Social Perceptiveness
Speaking
Coordination
Critical Thinking

Expected Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Common Activities

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 1

Little or No Preparation Needed

Education

Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.

Experience

Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • Less than high school 54%
  • High school diploma 27%
  • Some college 15%
  • Post-secondary certificate 3%
  • Associate's degree 1%
  • Other 0%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

Related Careers

Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
Food Preparation Workers
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Cooks, Short Order
Waiters and Waitresses

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*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.