Food Servers, Nonrestaurant

Food Servers, Nonrestaurant score 13 out of 100, which is low exposure to AI. That ranks #718 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 14 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 1 on its own and 2 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 1 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

13/ 100

Low

Rank: #718of 923 jobs
US workers: 293,900BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $35,360a year
In real AI use: 1 of 14tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 1 (7%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 2 (14%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 11 (79%)

Record amounts and types of special food items served to customers.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Examine trays to ensure that they contain required items.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Total checks, present them to customers, and accept payment for services.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Place food servings on plates or trays according to orders or instructions.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Clean or sterilize dishes, kitchen utensils, equipment, or facilities.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Monitor food distribution, ensuring that meals are delivered to the correct recipients and that guidelines, such as those for special diets, are followed.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Load trays with accessories, such as eating utensils, napkins, or condiments.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Take food orders and relay orders to kitchens or serving counters so they can be filled.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Monitor food preparation or serving techniques to ensure that proper procedures are followed.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Remove trays and stack dishes for return to kitchen after meals are finished.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Carry food, silverware, or linen on trays or use carts to carry trays.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Stock service stations with items, such as ice, napkins, or straws.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Prepare food items, such as sandwiches, salads, soups, or beverages.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Determine where patients or patrons would like to eat their meals and help them get situated.Little or no AI speed-up · core task

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Questions about food servers, nonrestaurant and AI

Will AI replace food servers, nonrestaurant?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Food Servers, Nonrestaurant score 13 out of 100 (low exposure), #718 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 3 of the job's 14 tasks, 1 of them on its own, while 11 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which food servers, nonrestaurant tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Record amounts and types of special food items served to customers".

Which food servers, nonrestaurant tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Place food servings on plates or trays according to orders or instructions"; "Clean or sterilize dishes, kitchen utensils, equipment, or facilities"; "Monitor food distribution, ensuring that meals are delivered to the correct recipients and that guidelines, such as those for special diets, are followed".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 1 of the 14 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as food servers, nonrestaurant, and what do they earn?

About 293,900 people in the US, with median pay of $35,360 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.