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Bakery associate vs food service assistant

The differences between bakery associates and food service assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a food service assistant has an average salary of $29,354, which is higher than the $28,963 average annual salary of a bakery associate.

The top three skills for a bakery associate include customer service, donuts and food preparation. The most important skills for a food service assistant are patients, customer service, and food handling.

Bakery associate vs food service assistant overview

Bakery AssociateFood Service Assistant
Yearly salary$28,963$29,354
Hourly rate$13.92$14.11
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs52,105149,665
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age3737
Years of experience--

What does a bakery associate do?

A bakery associate is responsible for assisting bakery chefs in producing baked goods and pastries, organizing the stock, maintaining the cleanliness of the storage area, and processing customers' orders and payments. Bakery associates monitor the inventory and request bakery ingredients and supplies from trusted suppliers and third-party vendors. They also pitch on recommending promotional campaigns and research on current bakery trends to update the menu, meeting public demands to increase sales and revenues. A bakery associate should have excellent communication and analytical skills to respond to customers' inquiries and operate the cash register.

What does a food service assistant do?

A food service assistant helps in food and beverage preparation and serving customers. Foodservice assistants make sure that great customer service is provided to clients. Their duties include answering phone calls for inquiries, providing information, selling products, and solving problems. They may function as cashiers in restaurants or any other food service institution. Upon receiving customer complaints, they escalate them to top management. This job requires people skills, communication skills, and food service knowledge.

Bakery associate vs food service assistant salary

Bakery associates and food service assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Bakery AssociateFood Service Assistant
Average salary$28,963$29,354
Salary rangeBetween $17,000 And $47,000Between $23,000 And $36,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASpringfield, MA
Highest paying stateWashingtonMassachusetts
Best paying companyRich ProductsFremont Public Schools
Best paying industryRetailRetail

Differences between bakery associate and food service assistant education

There are a few differences between a bakery associate and a food service assistant in terms of educational background:

Bakery AssociateFood Service Assistant
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Bakery associate vs food service assistant demographics

Here are the differences between bakery associates' and food service assistants' demographics:

Bakery AssociateFood Service Assistant
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 22.5% Female, 77.5%Male, 35.9% Female, 64.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 6.6% White, 59.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 8.7% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between bakery associate and food service assistant duties and responsibilities

Bakery associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage and complete sales transactions via POS register system.
  • Handle cash, check, WIC check, credit card and other card transactions.
  • Prepare delivery orders for other PCC stores.
  • Brainstorm new recipes and culinary creations to serve in in-store retail.
  • Work with equipment such as ovens, slicers, and wrapping equipment.
  • Apply toppings to bread, run divider, assure quality of product.
  • Show more

Food service assistant example responsibilities.

  • Sanitize rooms per OSHA requirements.
  • Perform regular station audits in accordance to OSHA guidelines.
  • Experience includes bag room, mail/cargo, ramp, and De-icing.
  • Maintain cleanliness of kitchenware and food preparation areas in a fast-pace restaurant kitchen.
  • Streamline kitchen processes for this fast-pace environment, maintaining cleanliness and safe equipment operation.
  • Monitor radio and delivery system by annotating order tickets resulting in satisfy and hunger free patients.
  • Show more

Bakery associate vs food service assistant skills

Common bakery associate skills
  • Customer Service, 45%
  • Donuts, 16%
  • Food Preparation, 10%
  • Bakery Products, 7%
  • Safety Regulations, 4%
  • Groceries, 2%
Common food service assistant skills
  • Patients, 12%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Food Handling, 9%
  • Basic Math, 8%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 7%
  • Safety Standards, 6%

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