What Does a Short-Order Cook Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a short-order cook do?

Short-order cooks prepare and cook to order a variety of foods that require only a short preparation time. The median pay is $35,880 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few days on the job, and employment is projected to grow -5.2% from 2025–35.

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

Median pay
$35,880
$17.25/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-5.2%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
17,400
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
BLS classification
Time to train
A few days on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
138,700
Employment, 2025

What short-order cooks do

Short-order cooks juggle many orders at once. They cook eggs, pancakes, burgers and sandwiches on griddles and grills at diners, cafés and counters, often in view of customers.

No formal education is required, and training is short. BLS projects decline.

Typical duties

Cook orders
Run the griddle
Read tickets
Time multiple orders
Plate food
Restock
Clean the line

Work environment and schedule

Cooks work at diners, cafés, bars and counters.

Schedule: Early mornings, nights and weekends.

A day in the life

5:30 AMHeat the griddle.
6:00 AMBreakfast rush.
9:00 AMRestock.
11:00 AMLunch orders.

See a full day in the life of a short-order cook →

Short-Order Cook salary

Half of short-order cooks earned more than $35,880 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $23,440 for the lowest 10% to $46,460 for the top 10%.

$23,44010th$35,880Median$46,46090th

Full short-order cook pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a short-order cook

Apply
Get a food handler card
Learn the griddle
Build speed
Advance

No formal educational credential is required.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a short-order cook →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Griddle cooking
Egg cooking
Ticket timing
Multitasking
Plating

People skills

Speed
Focus
Calm
Teamwork

All short-order cook skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Fast start
Multitasking skills
Lively work
No degree needed

Cons

Declining jobs
Low pay
Heat
Fast pressure

Certifications and licenses

Food handler card: Often required.
ServSafe: Helpful.
Culinary classes: Helpful.
Allergen training: Helpful.

Career path

Short-Order Cook: Entry.
Line Cook: Advance.
Lead Cook: Lead.
Kitchen Manager: Manage.

Learn the job before day one

Our Short-Order Cook training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as cook eggs to order and run multiple tickets at once, safety and how to land your first job.

View Short-Order Cook training Is this career right for me?

Line Cook

Cook dishes to order on a busy restaurant line.

$37,390
1–6 months on the job

Fast Food Cook

Cook menu items quickly at fast food and quick-service restaurants.

$30,890
A few days on the job

Prep Cook

Prepare the ingredients that make every kitchen service possible.

$35,320
1–4 weeks

Chef

Lead kitchens, create menus and turn ingredients into memorable meals.

$62,470
2–5 years of kitchen experience

Compare: Short-Order Cook vs. Line Cook · Short-Order Cook vs. Fast Food Cook · Short-Order Cook vs. Prep Cook · Short-Order Cook vs. Chef

Short-Order Cook FAQ

Do I need experience?

No.

Is it a path to line cook?

Yes.

Is the job declining?

BLS projects decline.

How much does a short-order cook make?

The median annual wage for short-order cooks was $35,880 ($17.25 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $23,440 and the highest 10% earned more than $46,460.

How long does it take to become a short-order cook?

Most people need about A few days on the job of training. No formal educational credential is required.

Do you need a degree to be a short-order cook?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 35-2015 (Cooks, short order).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Cooks, short order (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.

Short-Order Cook