How to hire a kitchen assistant

How to hire a kitchen assistant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step kitchen assistant hiring guide:

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

What does a kitchen assistant do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your kitchen assistant job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a kitchen assistant for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a kitchen assistant to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a kitchen assistant that fits the bill.

   This list presents kitchen assistant salaries for various positions.

   Type of Kitchen Assistant	Description	Hourly rate
   Kitchen Assistant	Food preparation workers perform many routine tasks under the direction of cooks, chefs, or food service managers. Food preparation workers prepare cold foods, slice meat, peel and cut vegetables, brew coffee or tea, and perform many other food service tasks.	$10-16
   Food Prep/Dishwasher	A food prep/dishwasher's role is to perform food preparation and cleaning duties in a kitchen, under the supervision and directives of a chef or manager. One of their primary responsibilities is washing dishes, sanitizing utensils, and preparing ingredients by washing, peeling, and cutting them according to size... Show more	$11-17
   Line Cook/Dishwasher	A line cook/dishwasher is primarily in charge of prepping food and maintaining their work station's cleanliness while adhering to health standards and protocols. Among their duties include washing and chopping vegetables, cutting meat according to requirements, preparing sauces, and cooking according to an executive chef's directives... Show more	$12-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Wine
   • Kitchen Equipment
   • POS
   • Culinary
   • Kitchen Operations
   • Cooking Equipment
   • Food Service
   • Cleanliness
   • Meal Prep
   • Safety Standards
   • Cooking Classes
   • Dishwashers
   • Customer Service
   • Meal Service

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Assist the catering manager to manage, prepare, cook and deliver each day s caterings.
   • Prepare and store vegetables; maintain cleanliness and organization of kitchen; observe food safety and health regulations
   • Mix water with detergents and acids to prepare cleaning solutions according to specifications, general cleanliness according to safety and company guidelines
   • Operate dishwasher and train volunteers.
   • Maintain the dishwasher and efficiently clean kitchenware.
   • Skil in grilling, roasting, steaming, platting individual and buffet style.

   More kitchen assistant duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, kitchen assistants' average salary in alabama is 55% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level kitchen assistants earn 40% less than senior-level kitchen assistants.
   • Certifications. A kitchen assistant 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 kitchen assistant's salary.

   Average kitchen assistant salary

   $13.20hourly

   $27,455 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level kitchen assistant salary

   $21,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

   Average kitchen assistant salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Minnesota	$39,011	$19
   2	Maine	$38,990	$19
   3	Oregon	$36,784	$18
   4	California	$35,076	$17
   5	New York	$34,901	$17
   6	Illinois	$34,503	$17
   7	Rhode Island	$33,265	$16
   8	Colorado	$32,401	$16
   9	Utah	$31,921	$15
   10	Michigan	$30,991	$15
   11	Pennsylvania	$30,951	$15
   12	Wisconsin	$30,601	$15
   13	Nebraska	$30,413	$15
   14	Nevada	$29,304	$14
   15	Maryland	$29,261	$14
   16	Arizona	$28,231	$14
   17	Virginia	$27,794	$13
   18	Missouri	$27,692	$13
   19	Ohio	$26,466	$13
   20	Florida	$24,595	$12

   Average kitchen assistant salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	University of Massachusetts Boston	$44,690	$21.49
   2	University of San Diego	$40,545	$19.49
   3	Syracuse University	$39,654	$19.06
   4	Bethesda Project	$39,325	$18.91	2
   5	The Culinary Institute of America	$36,050	$17.33
   6	CITC	$35,828	$17.23
   7	Amber	$35,730	$17.18
   8	Woodson Ymca	$34,983	$16.82
   9	Dignity Health	$34,945	$16.80	1
   10	Zoox	$34,697	$16.68
   11	Light of Life Rescue Mission	$34,271	$16.48
   12	Cornell University	$33,710	$16.21	7
   13	PJ's Coffee	$33,540	$16.13
   14	American Addiction Centers	$33,275	$16.00
   15	Cafe Services	$33,068	$15.90	1
   16	H-E-B	$32,946	$15.84	13
   17	Senior Resource Group	$32,581	$15.66
   18	Dairy Farmers of America	$32,204	$15.48
   19	Allina Health	$32,113	$15.44
   20	Supportive Concepts for Families	$31,696	$15.24

4. Writing a kitchen assistant job description

   A good kitchen assistant job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a kitchen assistant job description:

   Kitchen assistant job description example

   Full Time Kitchen Assistant Residential Facility
   
   At Granite Recovery Centers, we do things differently. Our workforce are not just employees, they are members of a large, diverse, mission and values driven family who are collectively committed to changing and saving lives affected by addiction. We celebrate being an Employer of Choice committed to providing a recovery friendly and equal opportunity workplace.
   
   Granite Recovery Centers is looking for a Kitchen Assistant to help out the Chef and other kitchen staff in order to meet the nutritional needs of our clients. If you have previous kitchen experience, we want to hear from you.
   Responsibilities: Assisting cooks in the preparation of meal ingredients, Helping other staff with unloading food items from delivery trucks Washing and drying the utensils, dishes, and cookware. Storing ingredients and food supplies in compliance with food safety standards Mopping and sweeping the kitchen areas as required. Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent. Must be able to work weekends and holidays Excellent communication skills Able to follow instructions and work as part of a team Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment Previous experience preferred Satisfactory drug screen and criminal background check Salary Range: Range generally starting between $16.00 - 17.00 an hour.
   
   The salary of the candidate(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, education, specialty and training.
   
   Green Mountain Offers excellent benefits: 401K match Flexible Sick Time Bereavement Leave Employee Referral Program All legally mandated benefits (i.e., workers compensation, Medicare & Social Security Contribution, etc.)
   COVID-19 considerations: Everyone will be asked to be in compliance with the most recent COVID guidelines from CDC, State, County and City
   Here is what you can expect from us: Granite Recovery Center is committed to helping people achieve lasting sobriety through comprehensive care and compassionate support. Founded by and staffed with individuals in recovery themselves, we treat residents with the respect and dignity they deserve. Our Canterbury center provides individualized care and evidence-based clinical approaches in an environment that promotes healing.
   
   Granite Recovery Center is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and to compliance with all Federal, State and local laws that prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, natural origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship, genetic disposition, disability or veterans status or any other classification protected by State/Federal laws. PI194438273

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find kitchen assistants for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any kitchen assistants they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level kitchen assistants with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit kitchen assistants, 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.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 kitchen assistant

   Once you've found the kitchen assistant candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   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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How much does it cost to hire a kitchen assistant?