How to hire a food counter worker

How to hire a food counter worker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step food counter worker hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a food counter worker job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new food counter worker
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the food counter worker you need to hire. Certain food counter worker roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A food counter worker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, food counter workers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of food counter workers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Food Counter Worker	Description	Hourly rate
   Food Counter Worker	Food and beverage serving and related workers perform a variety of customer service, food preparation, and cleaning duties in restaurants, cafeterias, and other eating and drinking establishments.	$8-15
   Food Service Attendant	A Food Service Attendant works in various establishments such as hotels, cafeterias, and bars to deal with service, meal preparation, and food handling. They work under the control of a kitchen manager or food service director and deliver their services all days of the week... Show more	$9-15
   Food Prep	The primary duty of a food prep is to accomplish various food handling and preparation tasks according to the direction of supervisors, chefs, or cooks. One can work in different establishments or industry where there is food involved... Show more	$9-16

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Food Handling
   • Basic Math
   • Safety Standards
   • Cleanliness
   • Customer Complaints
   • Customer Service
   • Kitchen Equipment
   • Food Products
   • Cold Food
   • Cash Handling
   • Groceries
   • Customer Orders
   • Food Orders
   • Food Preparation

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Provide coffee and pastries for customers, make coffee and smoothies.
   • Assist with planning and directing food preparation and culinary activities along with safely handling and storing all products appropriately.
   • Sandwich making, cutting vegetables, cleaning fryers, washing dishes, cleaning of the dining area and cleaning the bathrooms.
   • Prepare personalized smoothies and meals for customers

   More food counter worker duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your food counter worker job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A food counter worker salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, food counter workers' average salary in south carolina is 37% less than in north dakota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level food counter workers earn 45% less than senior-level food counter workers.
   • Certifications. A food counter worker with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a food counter worker's salary.

   Average food counter worker salary

   $12.02hourly

   $25,007 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level food counter worker salary

   $18,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 29, 2026

   Average food counter worker salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Massachusetts	$32,776	$16
   2	Michigan	$31,304	$15
   3	California	$28,566	$14
   4	Iowa	$28,476	$14
   5	New York	$27,842	$13
   6	Oregon	$27,795	$13
   7	Washington	$27,783	$13
   8	Oklahoma	$27,616	$13
   9	Ohio	$27,433	$13
   10	New Jersey	$26,956	$13
   11	Minnesota	$26,693	$13
   12	Colorado	$24,724	$12
   13	Arizona	$24,204	$12
   14	Louisiana	$23,225	$11
   15	North Carolina	$23,021	$11
   16	Florida	$22,133	$11
   17	Texas	$21,713	$10
   18	Georgia	$21,349	$10
   19	South Carolina	$20,711	$10

   Average food counter worker salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	UC Merced	$37,734	$18.14
   2	University of California	$32,516	$15.63	57
   3	Postmates	$31,694	$15.24
   4	Dartmouth	$31,053	$14.93	17
   5	Whole Foods Market	$30,062	$14.45	110
   6	Compass Group USA	$29,923	$14.39	3,752
   7	University of Iowa Center for Advancement	$29,916	$14.38	29
   8	Bay Village Of Sarasota	$29,197	$14.04
   9	Kelly Services	$28,285	$13.60	49
   10	PSEA	$27,772	$13.35	23
   11	SAGE Dining Services	$27,481	$13.21	27
   12	Bethany Village	$27,152	$13.05	2
   13	Jerry's Enterprises	$27,072	$13.02
   14	Aramark	$26,551	$12.76	2,963
   15	University of Michigan	$26,167	$12.58	5
   16	Cape Cod Child Development	$25,916	$12.46	1
   17	MGM Resorts International	$25,563	$12.29	29
   18	Sodexo Management, Inc.	$25,427	$12.22	945
   19	State of Georgia: Teachers Retirement System of Georgia	$24,873	$11.96	47
   20	Utah Community Action	$24,750	$11.90	4

4. Writing a food counter worker job description

   A food counter worker job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a food counter worker job description:

   Food counter worker job description example

   How to Apply
   
   A resume is required for consideration for this position.
   
   Summary
   
   * Play a role in providing exceptional food and service to our patients by either assembling patient trays, serving patient trays, washing patient dishware, or another supporting role in our kitchen.
   * Follow food safety guidelines and infection prevention protocols
   * Follow standard recipes for portion control and operate food service equipment safely.
   
   Who We Are
   
   The leaders and best in food service have an opportunity available for a Temporary Food Service Worker to join our team. Food Service Personnel are expected to provide world class customer service to Michigan Medicine patients, visitors and their coworkers while maintaining the highest quality standards for food safety and sanitation.
   
   Why Join Michigan Medicine?
   
   Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and we want to inspire and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world's most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.
   
   Skills You Have
   
   A High School Diploma or GED
   
   1 year of work experience
   
   This position requires walking and standing throughout the shift, frequent bending, twisting, squatting, and reaching. Reading and writing proficiently in English.
   
   How You'll Grow
   
   Temporary employees often obtain permanent employment with Michigan Medicine. You will receive training on a variety of roles within the kitchen.
   
   Work Schedule
   
   This is a temporary position working in the kitchen to provide food service to patients working 30-40 hours a week. Schedules may vary with start times between 5 am - 9 am.
   
   Background Screening
   
   Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
   
   U-M EEO/AA Statement
   
   The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
   
   U-M COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
   
   COVID-19 vaccinations, including one booster when eligible

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right food counter worker for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your food counter worker job on Zippia to find and recruit food counter worker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit food counter workers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new food counter worker

   Once you've decided on a perfect food counter worker candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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