Employment Outlook

Careers in this cluster fall into the food preparation and serving and the personal care and service occupational groups used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for occupational projections.

Food Preparation and Serving

Overall employment in food preparation and serving occupations is projected to grow 11 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations; this increase is expected to result in about 1.3 million new jobs over the decade. In addition to new jobs from growth, opportunities arise from the need to replace workers who leave their occupations permanently. About 2.4 million openings each year, on average, are projected to come from growth and replacement needs.

Personal Care and Service

Overall employment in personal care and service occupations is projected to grow 14 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations; this increase is expected to result in about 544,800 new jobs over the decade. In addition to new jobs from growth, opportunities arise from the need to replace workers who leave their occupations permanently. About 762,600 openings each year, on average, are projected to come from growth and replacement needs.