What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Fast Food and Counter Workers in the U.S. earn more than $31,200 a year — the middle 80% land between $22,840 and $42,650. About 3.9 million people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Fast Food and Counter Workers”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Service and sales workers earn about ₹15,575 a month on average — around ₹1.9 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$31,200typical pay / year
3.9 millionpeople in this work
$42,650+top 10% earn
₹1.9 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Sending & sharing3
Greet customers
+Stand at the counter with a smile, welcome the next customer by name if known, confirm their order intent…
Greet customers
+Stand at the counter with a smile, welcome the next customer by name if known, confirm their order intent within ten seconds, offer one relevant upsell (drink or combo), and tell them the expected wait time before routing them to the cashier.
The tools that do the workIntuit QuickBooks Point of Salejob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Distribute food to servers.
+Collect completed plates from the pass in ticket sequence, check each against its order ticket for accuracy…
Distribute food to servers.
+Collect completed plates from the pass in ticket sequence, check each against its order ticket for accuracy and condiments, then hand them to servers with a quick note of any special handling before they leave the counter.
The tools that do the workNCR NeighborhoodPOSO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Serve food to customers promptly
+Call orders up as ready, confirm the customer name, set the tray with napkins and condiments, offer a final…
Serve food to customers promptly
+Call orders up as ready, confirm the customer name, set the tray with napkins and condiments, offer a final check for modifications, and move them to the pickup area within two minutes to keep throughput steady.
The tools that do the workNCR Advanced CheckoutO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Protecting1
Clean work areas
+Sweep and wipe the front counter, sanitize high-touch surfaces and condiment stations, empty and relabel the…
Clean work areas
+Sweep and wipe the front counter, sanitize high-touch surfaces and condiment stations, empty and relabel the trash and recycling bins, log completion and any hazards on the shift cleaning checklist before the next rush.
The tools that do the workMICROS Systems HSI Profits Seriesjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Fixing1
Prepare food and drinks
+Assemble the next batch of sandwiches and drinks to spec, follow the recipe card for portion sizes and…
Prepare food and drinks
+Assemble the next batch of sandwiches and drinks to spec, follow the recipe card for portion sizes and temperatures, label hot items with time made, and place completed orders on the pickup rail in ticket order.
The tools that do the workMenu and nutrition databasejob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Coordinate1
Set tables or prepare food stations
+Arrange the service station: lay out clean trays, stock napkins, lids and condiments, preload the beverage…
Set tables or prepare food stations
+Arrange the service station: lay out clean trays, stock napkins, lids and condiments, preload the beverage station with cups and syrups, and run a quick temp and portion check on each station before the lunchtime rush.
The tools that do the workAldelo Systems Aldelo for Restaurants Projob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
The daily work15
Upsell products
+Offer the customer a heated combo upgrade and a choice of large fries or a dessert when they order the burger…
Upsell products
+Offer the customer a heated combo upgrade and a choice of large fries or a dessert when they order the burger and soda, mention the limited-time chicken nugget deal, note the extra price, and add the upsell to the order before payment.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Comply with food safety and hygiene
+Follow the opening checklist: wash hands with soap for 20 seconds, change to a clean apron, throw out any…
Comply with food safety and hygiene
+Follow the opening checklist: wash hands with soap for 20 seconds, change to a clean apron, throw out any food past hold time, set grill and holding temperatures to safe ranges, log all actions in the station log and notify the shift lead if anything fails.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Take customer orders
+Take orders at the counter and drive-thru, confirm customisations and upsell a combo or larger size when…
Take customer orders
+Take orders at the counter and drive-thru, confirm customisations and upsell a combo or larger size when appropriate, repeat the full order back, total the payment and hand the customer a receipt within two minutes during the lunch rush.
The tools that do the workNCR Advanced Checkoutjob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Serve food and beverages
+Serve completed meals and drinks to customers at the counter and drive-thru window, check each meal against…
Serve food and beverages
+Serve completed meals and drinks to customers at the counter and drive-thru window, check each meal against the order ticket, offer napkins and condiments, and ensure hot items leave within safe holding times.
The tools that do the workNCR NeighborhoodPOSjob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Answer questions about menu
+Answer customer questions about ingredients, allergens, and calorie counts calmly, suggest alternatives for…
Answer questions about menu
+Answer customer questions about ingredients, allergens, and calorie counts calmly, suggest alternatives for dietary needs, and consult the nutrition list for any unclear items before promising specifics.
The tools that do the workMenu and nutrition databasejob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Assemble food items for serving or packaging
+Assemble burgers, fries and drinks to the order ticket standard, check portion sizes and temperature, place…
Assemble food items for serving or packaging
+Assemble burgers, fries and drinks to the order ticket standard, check portion sizes and temperature, place condiments and wrappers correctly, and seal or bag items for takeaway with the ticket attached.
The tools that do the workMICROS Systems HSI Profits SeriesO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Perform personnel activities, such as supervising and training employees.
+Run shift huddles, assign stations, coach two new crew on safe reheating and hygiene, correct one performance…
Perform personnel activities, such as supervising and training employees.
+Run shift huddles, assign stations, coach two new crew on safe reheating and hygiene, correct one performance issue, and sign off on the day's timecards before the evening peak.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OfficeO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Relay orders to kitchen staff
+Relay each incoming order to the kitchen clearly, prioritise rush items, repeat any customisations aloud,…
Relay orders to kitchen staff
+Relay each incoming order to the kitchen clearly, prioritise rush items, repeat any customisations aloud, update the ticket if the customer changes their mind, and confirm estimated completion time with the cook line.
The tools that do the workAldelo Systems Aldelo for Restaurants Projob descriptions
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Stock service stations
+Restock the service stations on the drive-thru and front counter with napkins, straws, ketchup packs and…
Stock service stations
+Restock the service stations on the drive-thru and front counter with napkins, straws, ketchup packs and lids; rotate older stock to the back, count items to the prep par sheet, and report any missing supplies to Lee by the 2pm shift change.
The tools that do the workNCR NeighborhoodPOSjob descriptions
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Clear tables
+Clear and buss the dining tables every 10 minutes: scrape trays into bin, stack trays by size, wipe with…
Clear tables
+Clear and buss the dining tables every 10 minutes: scrape trays into bin, stack trays by size, wipe with sanitizer, reset condiments and chairs, and call front‑of‑house lead Maria if a spill needs mop service.
The tools that do the workComprisjob descriptions
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Ensure food safety and sanitation standards are met
+Verify all chillers and hot holding units are at temperature, log readings for the 11am check, discard any…
Ensure food safety and sanitation standards are met
+Verify all chillers and hot holding units are at temperature, log readings for the 11am check, discard any items outside safe range, sanitize prep surfaces, and file the temperature log with shift manager Oscar before lunch rush.
The tools that do the workMICROS Systems HSI Profits SeriesWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Assist in opening and closing duties of the restaurant
+Help open: run equipment warm‑up checklist, set up tills with starting floats, prepare the morning bake and…
Assist in opening and closing duties of the restaurant
+Help open: run equipment warm‑up checklist, set up tills with starting floats, prepare the morning bake and coffee stations; help close: count cash, reconcile sales with receipts, secure tills and hand over the drawer to manager Jenna.
The tools that do the workIntuit QuickBooks Point of SaleWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Process payments
+Process customer payments quickly and accurately: total the order, accept cash or card, offer the combo…
Process payments
+Process customer payments quickly and accurately: total the order, accept cash or card, offer the combo upsell, issue the receipt, and log any declined transactions to manager Marco with the transaction ID.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Use reheating techniques
+Reheat held sandwiches and sides using the assigned reheating schedule: follow time and temperature…
Use reheating techniques
+Reheat held sandwiches and sides using the assigned reheating schedule: follow time and temperature instructions, check internal temps, hold no longer than allowed, mark reheated items with time stamped sticker, and tell shift lead if product fails.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Menu and nutrition
+Post the weekend specials menu and nutrition tonight: include prices, full ingredient list and calorie…
Menu and nutrition
+Post the weekend specials menu and nutrition tonight: include prices, full ingredient list and calorie counts, swap any sold-out items, and hand the printed poster to shift lead before breakfast service.
The tools that do the workMenu and nutrition databaseO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Says who?
These are the pages we read to build this. Open any of them and check us.
The logs, files & records this job keeps
Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.
Related careers
Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
The LLOS Work Atlas is the world's largest evidenced task library — a map of human work, with a ready prompt behind every task. 1,774 careers · every task named by the sources that witnessed it — O*NET, ESCO, real job descriptions, Wikipedia — and the deepest tasks by several at once. And it is honest about limits: where AI cannot help, the map says so.
The rest of the map
Same library, five ways in.
Copyright © LLOS.ai · 2026 — original pedagogy, voice, and design — all rights reserved.
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses