Food Cooking Machine Operator Career Guide

What does a food cooking machine operator do?

Food cooking machine operators and tenders operate or tend cooking equipment such as steam cooking vats, deep fry cookers, pressure cookers, kettles and retorts. The median pay is $41,590 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -0.3% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$41,590
$20.00/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-0.3%
2025–35, little or no change
Openings per year
3,700
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
A few months on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
31,200
Employment, 2025

What food cooking machine operators do

Food cooking machine operators cook food at industrial scale. They run fryers, steam kettles, ovens and retorts, control time and temperature, check doneness and food safety, and keep records for every batch.

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects little change.

Typical duties

Run cooking equipment
Control time and temperature
Check doneness
Monitor food safety
Record batch data
Adjust settings
Clean equipment

Work environment and schedule

Operators work in hot food plants.

Schedule: Full time, often shifts.

A day in the life

6:00 AMStart up the fryer line.
6:30 AMCheck oil temperature.
8:00 AMCheck product core temperature.
10:00 AMAdjust belt speed.

See a full day in the life of a food cooking machine operator →

Food Cooking Machine Operator salary

Half of food cooking machine operators earned more than $41,590 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $31,680 for the lowest 10% to $54,410 for the top 10%.

$31,68010th$41,590Median$54,41090th

Full food cooking machine operator pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a food cooking machine operator

Finish high school
Get hired
Learn equipment
Learn CCPs
Advance

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a food cooking machine operator →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Cooking equipment
Temperature control
Critical control points
Quality checks
Recordkeeping

People skills

Attention to detail
Reliability
Focus
Teamwork

All food cooking machine operator skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

No degree needed
Steady demand
Training provided
Clear processes

Cons

Heat and burns
Repetitive
Shift work
Strict records

Certifications and licenses

Food safety training: HACCP.
Better Process Control School: For retorts.
OSHA 10: Safety.
GMP training: Employer.

Career path

Operator: Entry.
Lead Operator: Lead.
Quality Technician: Quality.
Supervisor: Lead.

Learn the job before day one

Our Food Cooking Machine Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as check a critical control point and measure product core temperature, safety and how to land your first job.

View Food Cooking Machine Operator training Is this career right for me?

Food Batchmaker

Measure and mix ingredients into large batches for food production.

$42,290
A few months on the job

Food Roasting Machine Operator

Run machines that roast, bake or dry foods like coffee, nuts and snacks.

$44,810
A few months on the job

Line Cook

Cook dishes to order on a busy restaurant line.

$37,390
1–6 months on the job

Packaging Machine Operator

Run machines that fill, seal, label and package products.

$43,220
A few weeks to months on the job

Compare: Food Cooking Machine Operator vs. Food Batchmaker · Food Cooking Machine Operator vs. Food Roasting Machine Operator · Food Cooking Machine Operator vs. Line Cook · Food Cooking Machine Operator vs. Packaging Machine Operator

Food Cooking Machine Operator FAQ

Do I need experience?

No.

Is the work hot?

Yes.

Is the job growing?

BLS projects little change.

How much does a food cooking machine operator make?

The median annual wage for food cooking machine operators was $41,590 ($20.00 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $31,680 and the highest 10% earned more than $54,410.

How long does it take to become a food cooking machine operator?

Most people need about A few months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a food cooking machine operator?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

More food cooking machine operator questions →

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-3093 (Food cooking machine operators and tenders).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Food cooking machine operators and tenders (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Food Cooking Machine Operator