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Job outlook for food service assistants in the United States
Food service assistant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected food service assistant job growth rate is 2% from 2018-2028.
About 17,700 new jobs for food service assistants are projected over the next decade.
Food service assistant salaries have increased 22% for food service assistants in the last 5 years.
There are over 189,670 food service assistants currently employed in the United States.
There are 149,665 active food service assistant job openings in the US.
The average food service assistant salary is $29,354.
Are food service assistant jobs in demand?
Food service assistant job and salary trends over time
Food service assistant jobs over time
Food service assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 189,670 | 0.06% |
| 2020 | 193,757 | 0.06% |
| 2019 | 212,120 | 0.06% |
| 2018 | 204,008 | 0.06% |
| 2017 | 207,392 | 0.06% |
Average food service assistant salary over time
Food service assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $29,354 | $14.11 | +5.1% |
| 2025 | $27,924 | $13.42 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $26,719 | $12.85 | +4.4% |
| 2023 | $25,593 | $12.30 | +6.0% |
| 2022 | $24,140 | $11.61 | +6.2% |
Food service assistant jobs by state
Most common states for food service assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,385 | 24% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,339 | 24% |
| 3 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 760 | 24% |
| 4 | Alaska | 739,795 | 153 | 21% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 252 | 19% |
| 6 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 161 | 19% |
| 7 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 847 | 17% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,108 | 16% |
| 9 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,485 | 14% |
| 10 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,174 | 14% |
| 11 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 150 | 14% |
| 12 | Delaware | 961,939 | 134 | 14% |
| 13 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,184 | 13% |
| 14 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 728 | 13% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 450 | 13% |
| 16 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 391 | 13% |
| 17 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 235 | 13% |
| 18 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 174 | 13% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 96 | 13% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 78 | 13% |
Most common cities for food service assistants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kaneohe | 5 | 14% | $29,370 |
| 2 | Prescott | 5 | 12% | $26,767 |
| 3 | Fargo | 12 | 10% | $28,826 |
| 4 | West Bloomfield | 6 | 9% | $29,218 |
| 5 | Sugar Land | 4 | 5% | $22,638 |
| 6 | Sioux Falls | 7 | 4% | $27,677 |
| 7 | Olathe | 6 | 4% | $25,471 |
| 8 | The Woodlands | 4 | 4% | $22,698 |
| 9 | Baytown | 3 | 4% | $22,632 |
| 10 | Bismarck | 3 | 4% | $28,532 |
| 11 | Boston | 14 | 2% | $33,199 |
| 12 | Detroit | 6 | 1% | $29,168 |
| 13 | Minneapolis | 3 | 1% | $31,241 |
| 14 | Houston | 5 | 0% | $22,646 |
| 15 | Chicago | 3 | 0% | $25,944 |
Food Service Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of food service assistant experts
The University of Mississippi
Melinda Valliant Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Director, Center for Health and Sports PerformanceThe University of Mississippi
Department of Nutrition & Hospitality Management
What skills stand out on Food Service Assistant resumes?
Melinda Valliant Ph.D.: Volunteer or paid experience in a health-related or food service field; knowledge of general nutrition, food allergies, texture modifications, special diets, factors that impact dietary intake, i.e., economic, environmental (access), social (living arrangements), etc.
What soft skills should all Food Service Assistants possess?
Melinda Valliant Ph.D.: Good listening, empathetic, caring, willingness to seek mentoring or ask questions of more seasoned professionals
What hard/technical skills are most important for Food Service Assistants?
Melinda Valliant Ph.D.: Word processing, excel, timely communication/documentation
What skills will help Food Service Assistants earn the most?
Melinda Valliant Ph.D.: Lifelong learning to advance knowledge/skills; good work ethic, team approach (patient-centric)