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Cafeteria server education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Usually, cafeteria servers don't need a college education. The most common degree for cafeteria servers is high school diploma with 41% graduates, with only 26% cafeteria server graduates earning bachelor's degree. Cafeteria servers who decided to graduate from college often finish St. Olaf College or University of North Texas. Some good skills to have in this position include clean kitchen, quality customer service and portion control.

What education do you need to become a cafeteria server?

What degree do you need to be a cafeteria server?

The most common degree for cafeteria servers is high school diploma, with 41% of cafeteria servers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 26% and bachelor's degree degree at 18%.
  • High School Diploma, 41%
  • Bachelor's, 26%
  • Associate, 18%
  • Diploma, 9%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a cafeteria server?

You should major in business to become a cafeteria server. 20% of cafeteria servers major in business. Other common majors for a cafeteria server include culinary arts and health care administration.

Best majors for cafeteria servers

RankMajorPercentages
1Business20.2%
2Culinary Arts10.1%
3Health Care Administration9.0%
4Cosmetology6.7%
5Social Work6.7%

20 best online courses for cafeteria servers

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1. Unravelling solutions for Future Food problems

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Our society depends on the availability of food and accessibility to it. According to the United Nations nearly 800 million people are hungry and on the other hand, over 650 million people are obese. While many people in developing countries experience food shortage, in industrialized countries people are throwing food away. These facts show how paradoxical and complex the world’s food problem is. ln this course, more than 10 food researchers from Utrecht University will address the main issues...

2. Cook Real Food: How to Make Simple Plant-Based Meals

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Learn how to cook whole plant foods to make quick, easy, and healthy vegan meals for practical everyday eating...

3. Fun food safety and sanitation course

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The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...

4. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

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4.4
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Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...

5. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors

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4.3
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The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...

6. Food Photography: Capturing Food in Your Kitchen

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4.7
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With DIY Food Photography, you'll be taking better photos in no time with what you have in your own kitchen!...

7. Basic Food Photography

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4.2
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Learn how to take delicious food photos from scratch...

8. ISO 22000 (HACCP and PRPs) for Food Safety

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4.4
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Standards, analysis, control points, and risk management related to ISO 22000 for food industry professionals...

9. Vegan Nutrition: Build Your Plant Based Diet & Meal Plan

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Learn How To Set Up A Vegan Diet For Weight Loss, Building Muscle, Healthy Eating, Meal Planning & Vegan Bodybuilding...

10. You Found It! Foodies Ultimate Food Photography Masterclass

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Beautiful Food Photography with any smartphone, iphone or digital camera. See Progress Quickly. Fundamentals matter!...

11. Customer Service: Keep 'em coming back!

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How to give the best customer service in your industry and keep those customers raving about your business...

12. Blockchain applications in Food Safety, Healthcare & Pharma

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Best course to learn about Blockchain Business Applications in Pharma, Food Safety, Healthcare and Insurance Industries...

13. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer

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Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...

14. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives

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Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...

15. Your Customer Service Toolbox: Best Practices for Beginners

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Excel as a front-line customer service agent using problem-solving & relationship-building skills, etiquette, and more...

16. Get to Know Your Food: Claims, Labels & Ingredients

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4.4
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Learn how to make the healthiest and best food choices amidst processed and packaged foods...

17. Fundamentals of Logistics, Supply Chain & Customer Service

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Learn Logistics, Supply Chain and Customer Service. 3 Courses in 1...

18. Customer Service Basics: Improve your Service now

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The basic golden rules to kickstart your service...

19. The Ultimate Food and Restaurant Business Course

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4.5
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For Existing Food & Restaurant Businesses & Start Ups. This course will significantly improve you chance of success...

20. Customer Service: 6 Keys To Exceptional Customer Service

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Master Customer Satisfaction & Astonish Your Customers With A+ Customer Service...

Average cafeteria server salary by education level

Cafeteria servers with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $31,181 annually. With a Associate degree, cafeteria servers earn a median annual income of $30,807 compared to $29,598 for cafeteria servers with an High School Diploma degree.
Cafeteria server education levelCafeteria server salary
High School Diploma or Less$29,598
Bachelor's Degree$31,181
Some College/ Associate Degree$30,807

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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