Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
Operate or tend cooking equipment, such as steam cooking vats, deep fry cookers, pressure cookers, kettles, and boilers, to prepare food products.
Common Job Titles
- Fryer Operator
- Kettle Fry Cook Operator
- Machine Operator
- Retort Operator
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generatedKey competencies for this occupation at a glance
- Hands-onOperate steam cooking vats, deep fry cookers, pressure cookers, and boilers in food production facilities following established safety and operational protocols.Proficient
- KnowledgeEvaluate food product quality and compliance with production standards during cooking processes to ensure consistency and food safety requirements.Proficient
- Hands-onCoordinate material handling using conveyors, hoists, and feeders to maintain continuous production flow in high-volume manufacturing environments.Proficient
- Hands-onPerform equipment inspections and operational checks on cooking machinery including retorts, kettles, and roasting equipment to maintain production efficiency.Developing
- KnowledgeApply production and food processing procedures to control cooking temperatures, timing, and ingredient ratios for consistent output.Developing
- KnowledgeAnalyze process parameters and equipment performance data to identify deviations from specifications and implement corrective actions.Developing
- KnowledgeInterpret production schedules, batch records, and standard operating procedures to execute cooking operations according to regulatory and quality requirements.Developing
- Hands-onExecute cleaning and sanitation protocols for cooking equipment following food safety standards and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).Developing
- MindsetEngage in team communication regarding production status and equipment issues with supervisors, peers, and maintenance personnel to maintain operational continuity.Developing
- KnowledgeApply mechanical knowledge to troubleshoot equipment malfunctions during production runs to minimize downtime and maintain product quality.Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
27,660
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $30,540. 25th percentile: U.S. $35,310. 50th percentile: U.S. $40,550. 75th percentile: U.S. $47,420. 90th percentile: U.S. $54,170. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
- U.S.
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $30,540 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $54,170 |
| Workers on average earn | $41,930 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
- Production and Processing4.3/5
- Food Production3.8/5
- Administration and Management3.3/5
- Education and Training3.1/5
- Mechanical3.1/5
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
Technology Skills
- Database software
Tools & Equipment
- Boilers
- Bucket belt conveyors
- Canners
- Chain hoists
- Combination feeders
- Continuous baking ovens
- Cooking vats
- Corn cooking systems