Careers That Make Pizza Possible

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.

A graphic using pizza imagery to show the projected growth of pizza-related jobs from 2021 to 2031. Cooks: 15.8%. Chefs and head cooks: 15.4%. Drivers/sales workers: 12.0%. Waiters: 10.3%. Food service managers: 9.8%. Agricultural and food science technicians: 8.7%. Bakers: 8.1%. Agricultural and food scientists: 8.0%. Fast food and counter workers: 7.6%.

 

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.