Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of food service workers that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of food service workers:
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Associate Food Scientist is the highest-paid type of food service worker with an average salary of $43,865 and an average hourly rate of $21.09.
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The second highest-paying type of food service worker is food handler, with an average salary of $32,581.
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The average food service worker salary is $28,753 per year, and the average hourly pay is $13.82.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a food service worker, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of food service workers are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of food service workers:
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Associate Food Scientist
Average Salary: $43,865
An associate food scientist is primarily responsible for developing new recipes for a company, ensuring quality and marketability. They are also responsible for improving existing recipes, performing support tasks for a head scientist, conducting market research and analysis, monitoring the progress of projects, and maintaining all recipes’ data and records, including nutrition value and ingredients. Furthermore, there are instances when an associate food scientist must manage the packaging and storing processes of food, ensuring consumers’ health and safety.
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Food Handler
Average Salary: $32,581
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Food Service Coordinator
Average Salary: $32,085
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Food Service Associate
Average Salary: $31,642
A foodservice associate performs fundamental functions in the food industry. Food service associates prepare and serve food items. They cater to special events, which involve facility preparation, food presentation maintenance, and setting up tables. Their duties include cleaning preparation and service equipment. They restock the work stations for the essential supplies. The skills they need to perform their job include customer service, teamwork, work with diverse cultural, ethnic, and academic backgrounds, and learn safety and health regulations.
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Mexican Food Cook
Average Salary: $31,039
A Mexican Food Cook works at restaurants or similar establishments that specialize in Mexican cuisine. Their responsibilities revolve around cutting meat and vegetable in portions, cooking and preparing according to company menu and guidelines, monitoring the supply of ingredients, and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas. There are also instances where they must delegate tasks among staff, coordinate with managers, and resolve order problems. Mexican Food Cooks must work while adhering to the company and the government’s health and safety regulations and standards.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various food service worker that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Food Service Workers
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Associate Food Scientist | |
| 2 | Food Handler | |
| 3 | Food Service Coordinator | |
| 4 | Food Service Associate | |
| 5 | Mexican Food Cook | |
| 6 | Service Worker | |
| 7 | Food Clerk | |
| 8 | Food Prep/Dishwasher | |
| 9 | Kitchen Staff | |
| 10 | Food Service Aide | |
| 11 | Kitchen Worker | |
| 12 | Deli Worker | |
| 13 | Kitchen Aide | |
| 14 | Food Service/Cashier | |
| 15 | Cinder Crew Worker | |
| 16 | Food Preparer | |
| 17 | Food Prep | |
| 18 | Food Service Attendant | |
| 19 | Food Server | |
| 20 | Cafeteria Worker |
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for food service workers.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Food Service Worker Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid food service worker job?
The highest-paid food service worker job is an associate food scientist. Associate Food Scientists earn an average salary of $43,865, which is $ 21.09 hourly.
An associate food scientist is primarily responsible for developing new recipes for a company, ensuring quality and marketability. They are also responsible for improving existing recipes, performing support tasks for a head scientist, conducting market research and analysis, monitoring the progress of projects, and maintaining all recipes’ data and records, including nutrition value and ingredients. Furthermore, there are instances when an associate food scientist must manage the packaging and storing processes of food, ensuring consumers’ health and safety.
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What is a good salary for a food service worker?
A good salary for a food service worker is $28,753 or more. The average food service worker salary is $28,753, so those making at least $28,753 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average food service worker salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a food service worker, the average entry level salary is $21,978, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $28,753 average, as this includes all food service workers of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Food Service Worker jobs pay well?
No, food service worker jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some food service worker jobs pay better than others, but the average food service worker salary of $28,753 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many food service worker jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of food service workers earning $35,798 a year on average.
Food Service Workers’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a food service worker. Do your research on the going rate for a food service worker in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do food service workers get paid the most?
Food Service Workers get paid the most in Washington. In Washington, food service workers earn an average annual salary of $33,400 and an average hourly wage of $16.06.
Following WA, the states with the highest-paid food service workers are Oregon, New Hampshire, and California, with average annual salaries of $31,932, $29,392, and $34,255 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid food service worker salaries are:
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Urban Honolulu, HI – $43,553
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Washington, DC – $34,541
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San Francisco, CA – $34,497
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
