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Careers · Cooks, Short Order · New Jersey

Cooks, Short Order in New Jersey

Short order cooks prepare and cook food quickly in restaurant kitchens, diners, and fast-casual establishments. They handle orders for items like eggs, burgers, sandwiches, and other meals that require minimal prep time In New Jersey the median pay is $40,720 a year, 13% above the national median of $35,880.

$40,720median pay in New Jersey, per year
$36,360–$46,900middle half earn
850employed in New Jersey
$35,880U.S. median, for comparison
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What it takes

Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most hold a high school diploma.

Skills that matter most

Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningTime ManagementSpeakingCoordinationService OrientationCritical ThinkingMonitoring

Knowledge areas

Food ProductionCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageProduction and Processing

Full profile, interests that fit, certifications and training: Cooks, Short Order.

Licenses and training in New Jersey

Cooks, Short Order pay in other states

Related occupations

Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against cooks, short order and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
Find out in 15 minutes See openings

O*NET-SOC 35-2015.00. Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, New Jersey, annual.