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Food service/cashier vs food handler

The differences between food service/cashiers and food handlers 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 $28,481 average annual salary of a food service/cashier.

The top three skills for a food service/cashier include food service, POS and cleanliness. The most important skills for a food handler are basic math, customer service, and math.

Food service/cashier vs food handler overview

Food Service/CashierFood Handler
Yearly salary$28,481$32,581
Hourly rate$13.69$15.66
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs247,779171,731
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 47%
Average age2323
Years of experience--

Food service/cashier vs food handler salary

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

Food Service/CashierFood Handler
Average salary$28,481$32,581
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $35,000Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityMontclair, NJSyracuse, NY
Highest paying stateNew HampshireWashington
Best paying companyAspen School DistrictSyracuse University
Best paying industryRetailFinance

Differences between food service/cashier and food handler education

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

Food Service/CashierFood Handler
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 47%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Food service/cashier vs food handler demographics

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

Food Service/CashierFood Handler
Average age2323
Gender ratioMale, 28.3% Female, 71.7%Male, 43.2% Female, 56.8%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage8%8%

Differences between food service/cashier and food handler duties and responsibilities

Food service/cashier example responsibilities.

  • Cashier, serve food, manage calls, drawer counting, heavy lifting, heavy use of POS system and filing.
  • Greet guests, take food and drink orders, prepare and assemble food items, maintain the cash drawer and POS system
  • Time management while delivering patients orders and providing exceptional customer service in a fast pace environment.
  • Order and receive supplies for culinary needs of the fleet.
  • Maintain food safety and quality by applying HACCP principles throughout service.
  • Load and unload commercial dishwashers.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Food service/cashier vs food handler skills

Common food service/cashier skills
  • Food Service, 17%
  • POS, 13%
  • Cleanliness, 9%
  • Basic Math, 8%
  • Math, 7%
  • Customer Complaints, 7%
Common food handler skills
  • Basic Math, 23%
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Math, 14%
  • Food Service, 6%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 6%
  • Food Orders, 4%

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