Food handler vs fast food cashier

The differences between food handlers and fast food cashiers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a food handler has an average salary of $32,581, which is higher than the $31,913 average annual salary of a fast food cashier.

The top three skills for a food handler include basic math, customer service and math. The most important skills for a fast food cashier are cash handling, basic math, and math.

Food handler vs fast food cashier overview

	Food Handler	Fast Food Cashier
Yearly salary	$32,581	$31,913
Hourly rate	$15.66	$15.34
Growth rate	14%	14%
Number of jobs	171,731	249,916
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 55%
Average age	23	23
Years of experience	-	-

Food handler vs fast food cashier salary

Food handlers and fast food cashiers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Food Handler	Fast Food Cashier
Average salary	$32,581	$31,913
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $39,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Syracuse, NY	-
Highest paying state	Washington	-
Best paying company	Syracuse University	-
Best paying industry	Finance	-

Differences between food handler and fast food cashier education

There are a few differences between a food handler and a fast food cashier in terms of educational background:

	Food Handler	Fast Food Cashier
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 55%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Food handler vs fast food cashier demographics

Here are the differences between food handlers' and fast food cashiers' demographics:

	Food Handler	Fast Food Cashier
Average age	23	23
Gender ratio	Male, 43.2% Female, 56.8%	Male, 28.4% Female, 71.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between food handler and fast food cashier duties and responsibilities

Food handler example responsibilities.

Set up and operate point of sales (POS) cash registers, receive money and return proper change.
Record patient information to gain knowledge of special allergies and special diets to promote better safety and health management.
Enter orders into POS system, report daily sales to managers, conduct monthly inventory, and perform heavy cash flow.
Monitor and maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and organization of assign station and service areas.
Maintain clean work areas including display cases, walk-in coolers, fryers and other cooking equipment.
Prepare and serve food samples using small appliances such as microwaves, fryers, skillets, coffee makers and knives.

Fast food cashier example responsibilities.

Insure the cleanliness of the food line and the restaurant front line area to include the lobby and entry way.
Cook, clean, take orders on the cash register and drive-thru, handle monetary transactions and provide customer service.
Work with accuracy and quick math skills.
Used math and language skills daily at cash register
Prepare food in accordance with Wendy's corporate guidelines.
Collect monies due or apply charges to credit card or guest account using POS terminal.

Food handler vs fast food cashier skills

Common food handler skills

Basic Math, 23%
Customer Service, 21%
Math, 14%
Food Service, 6%
Kitchen Equipment, 6%
Food Orders, 4%

Common fast food cashier skills

Cash Handling, 17%
Basic Math, 15%
Math, 14%
Customer Service, 9%
POS, 8%
Cleanliness, 6%

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Food Handler vs Fast Food Cashier

Updated January 8, 2025

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