Feb. 9 is National Pizza Day, celebrating one of America’s favorite foods. Whether you order your pizza from a restaurant, heat up a prepackaged or frozen one, or make it from scratch at home, lots of occupations help to make it possible.
Employment in most of the selected occupations listed below is projected to grow faster than the 5.3% average for all occupations from 2021 to 2031. And you can typically enter all but two of them with a high school diploma or less education.
Agricultural and food science technicians help with developing efficiencies and safety related to crops and food.
Projected employment growth, 2021–31: 8.7% (faster than average)
Number of jobs, 2021: 31,600
Occupational openings, projected 2021–31 annual average: 4,900
Typical entry-level education: Associate degree
Median annual wage, 2021: $44,700
Agricultural and food scientists research ways to make fresh and processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful.
Projected employment growth, 2021–31: 8.0% (faster than average)
Number of jobs, 2021: 37,300
Occupational openings, projected 2021–31 annual average: 4,100
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
Median annual wage, 2021: $74,160
Bakers mix ingredients to make pizzas and other products sold by grocers, wholesalers, restaurants, and food services.
Projected employment growth, 2021–31: 8.1% (faster than average)
Number of jobs, 2021: 200,800
Occupational openings, projected 2021–31 annual average: 31,300
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential
Median annual wage, 2021: $29,750
Chefs and head cooks oversee food preparation and may create new recipes at restaurants and other food service establishments.
Projected employment growth, 2021–31: 15.4% (much faster than average)
Number of jobs, 2021: 152,800
Occupational openings, projected 2021–31 annual average: 24,300
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent
Median annual wage, 2021: $50,160
Cooks use a variety of kitchen equipment to make pizza and other dishes in places where food is served.
Projected employment growth, 2021–31:15.8% (much faster than average)
Number of jobs, 2021: 2,648,700
Occupational openings, projected 2021–31 annual average: 480,600
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential
Median annual wage, 2021: $29,120
Drivers/sales workers deliver pizza and other prepared food from restaurants.
Projected employment growth, 2021–31: 12.0% (much faster than average)
Number of jobs, 2021: 531,000
Occupational openings, projected 2021–31 annual average: 72,300
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent
Median annual wage, 2021: $29,280
Fast food and counter workers heat menu items, accept payment, and do other tasks in limited-service restaurants, cafeterias and snack bars.
Projected employment growth, 2021–31: 7.6% (faster than average)
Number of jobs, 2021: 3,195,600
Occupational openings, projected 2021–31 annual average: 741,400
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential
Median annual wage, 2021: $25,100
Food service managers are responsible for the daily operation of establishments that prepare and serve pizza and other fare.
Projected employment growth, 2021–31: 9.8% (faster than average)
Number of jobs, 2021: 329,100
Occupational openings, projected 2021–31 annual average: 45,000
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent
Median annual wage, 2021: $59,440
Waiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and beverages to customers in dining establishments.
Projected employment growth, 2021–31: 10.3% (faster than average)
Number of jobs, 2021: 1,904,400
Occupational openings, projected 2021–31 annual average: 425,800
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential
Median annual wage, 2021: $26,000
Explore these and hundreds of other occupations in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Dustin Riles is an economist in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Follow BLS on Twitter at @BLS_gov.
