Post job

What does a deli worker do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
What does a deli worker do

A deli worker specializes in handling deli products and providing customer service in retail stores. They are primarily responsible for packaging and labeling products according to their weight and type, assigning prices, sorting out quality, and arranging them on display, all while following food safety and health guidelines. They must also respond to inquiries, suggest products, resolve any issues or concerns, handle special orders, and maintain cleanliness and sanitation. Furthermore, it is crucial to implement all policies and regulations, maintaining a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

On this page

Deli worker responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real deli worker resumes:

  • Open and close deli; schedule work hour coverage; manage and monitor deli cleanliness code; customer service.
  • Scan customers' groceries and accept payment.-Packaged, stock and take inventory of the deli salads.
  • Greet customers, keep check out area clean, bag groceries, and return buggies when need.
  • Experience in opening and closing procedures, cleaning fryers, doing dishes by hand and cash register use.
  • Wait on customers slice meat slice cheese working hard case fry foods put rotisseries in the rotisserie wash dishes clean slicers
  • Close down deli at night, clean dishes, take apart slicers to clean and sanitize per standards guide lines.
  • Maintain a clean environment by washing sinks, cleaning fryers, washing floors and cleaning works stations on a regular basis.
  • Exemplify a model of excellent customer service in keeping with Publix's orientation towards ensuring customer satisfaction.
  • Control freshness by rotating and coding all products legibly according to Walmart policies and procedures.

Deli worker skills and personality traits

We calculated that 26% of Deli Workers are proficient in Premier Customer Service, Food Safety, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Physical strength, and Dexterity.

We break down the percentage of Deli Workers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Premier Customer Service, 26%

    Recognized for providing premier customer service

  • Food Safety, 7%

    Adhere to food safety regulations* Prepare foods for restaurant use* Handle customer inquiries and complaints* Manage business transactions

  • Customer Service, 7%

    Perform deli responsibilities including customer service, product preparation, and weekly beverage ordering.

  • Deli Meats, 6%

    Prepared deli meats/cheeses for customers, use of deli slicers, breakdown of deli slicers for cleaning and proper sterilization.

  • Kitchen Equipment, 6%

    Prepare customers orders, prep work, run various kitchen equipment.

  • Safety Standards, 6%

    Prepare and cook all foods to proper temperature to ensure safety standards were met.

Common skills that a deli worker uses to do their job include "premier customer service," "food safety," and "customer service." You can find details on the most important deli worker responsibilities below.

See the full list of deli worker skills

The three companies that hire the most deli workers are:

Choose from 10+ customizable deli worker resume templates

Build a professional deli worker resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your deli worker resume.
Deli Worker Resume
Deli Worker Resume
Deli Worker Resume
Deli Worker Resume
Deli Worker Resume
Deli Worker Resume
Deli Worker Resume
Deli Worker Resume
Deli Worker Resume
Deli Worker Resume
Deli Worker Resume
Deli Worker Resume
Deli Worker Resume
Deli Worker Resume
Deli Worker Resume
Deli Worker Resume

Compare different deli workers

Deli worker vs. Catering assistant

A catering assistant is responsible for supporting catering operations, especially on outdoor gatherings and social events. Catering assistants prepare the buffet area and ensure the adequacy of foods and beverages, and provide the best customer service for the guests' satisfaction. Catering assistants must have excellent communication skills, responding to the guests' inquiries and concerns about the dish, and resolving immediate complaints. They maintain the cleanliness of the buffet station, strictly adhering to the sanitary standards and hygienic regulations.

The annual salary of catering assistants is $3,523 higher than the average salary of deli workers.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between deli workers and catering assistants are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like food safety, customer service, and kitchen equipment.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a deli worker are more likely to require skills like "premier customer service," "deli meats," "safety standards," and "slicers." On the other hand, a job as a catering assistant requires skills like "patients," "food delivery," "beverage service," and "banquet event orders." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Catering assistants tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $33,254. In contrast, deli workers make the biggest average salary, $29,969, in the energy industry.catering assistants tend to reach similar levels of education than deli workers. In fact, catering assistants are 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Deli worker vs. Kitchen assistant

A kitchen assistant is responsible for assisting chefs, cooks, or managers. Most of the duties are given by supervising officers, and it will revolve around preparing ingredients, cutting or washing meat and vegetables, and performing basic cooking tasks such as boiling and frying. A kitchen assistant is also responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the kitchen, washing used materials, sanitizing utensils, organizing food inventory. Other tasks include unloading deliveries of food supplies and sorting the ingredients accordingly.

A career as a kitchen assistant brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a deli worker. In fact, kitchen assistants salary is $1,123 lower than the salary of deli workers per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both deli workers and kitchen assistants have skills such as "food safety," "customer service," and "kitchen equipment. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real deli worker resumes. While deli worker responsibilities can utilize skills like "premier customer service," "deli meats," "hot food," and "lunch meat," kitchen assistants use skills like "wine," "pos," "ladders," and "culinary."

Kitchen assistants may earn a lower salary than deli workers, but kitchen assistants earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $29,019. On the other hand, deli workers receive higher pay in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $29,969.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Kitchen assistants tend to reach similar levels of education than deli workers. In fact, they're 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Deli worker vs. Kitchen staff

The kitchen staff consists of preparation workers who execute several routine tasks as directed by chefs, food service managers, and cooks. These works should have the ability to follow cooking instructions and deliver well-prepared meals. Their responsibilities include the cleanup of dishes, cooking equipment, and the working stations. They also take charge of food safety regulations, storing and sorting of ingredients, and preparing foodstuff.

An average kitchen staff eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of deli workers. The difference in salaries amounts to kitchen staff earning a $1,238 higher average salary than deli workers.By looking over several deli workers and kitchen staff resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "customer service," "kitchen equipment," and "safety standards." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from deli worker resumes include skills like "premier customer service," "food safety," "deli meats," and "lunch meat," whereas a kitchen staff is more likely to list skills in "food handling," "cleanliness," "sanitation standards," and "quality food. "

Kitchen staff earn the highest salary when working in the education industry, where they receive an average salary of $30,914. Comparatively, deli workers have the highest earning potential in the energy industry, with an average salary of $29,969.Most kitchen staff achieve a similar degree level compared to deli workers. For example, they're 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Deli worker vs. Food service assistant

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.

Food service assistants tend to earn a higher pay than deli workers by an average of $776 per year.While both deli workers and food service assistants complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like food safety, customer service, and kitchen equipment, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between deli workers and food service assistants, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a deli worker might have more use for skills like "premier customer service," "deli meats," "lunch meat," and "measure ingredients." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of food service assistants require skills like "patients," "food handling," "basic math," and "cleanliness. "

Food service assistants enjoy the best pay in the retail industry, with an average salary of $35,561. For comparison, deli workers earn the highest salary in the energy industry.In general, food service assistants hold similar degree levels compared to deli workers. Food service assistants are 1.0% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of deli worker

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.

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs