Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Cafeteria attendant salary
Average cafeteria attendant salary
$13.25
Average Cafeteria Attendant Salary
The average salary for a cafeteria attendant is approximately $27,558 per year or around $13 per hour. This figure can vary based on location, experience, and specific employer. For instance, states like California and New York tend to offer higher salaries due to cost of living and demand.
Factors Influencing Salary
Experience plays a significant role in determining salary. Entry-level positions may start at around $24,000 annually, while experienced attendants can earn upwards of $32,000. Additionally, working in schools or hospitals can provide more competitive wages compared to private enterprises.
Opportunities for Advancement
For those looking to advance, pursuing certifications in food safety or management can lead to supervisory roles, which typically offer higher compensation. Staying updated with industry trends and enhancing skills can significantly impact career growth and salary potential.
Let Zippia find your next cafeteria attendant job
Let Zippia find your next cafeteria attendant job
Where can a Cafeteria Attendant earn more?
Cafeteria attendant salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level cafeteria attendant | $24,500 | $11.76 |
| Mid-level cafeteria attendant | $30,500 | $14.68 |
| Senior-level cafeteria attendant | $30,300 | $14.58 |
Cafeteria attendant salary estimates from across the web
Average cafeteria attendant salary by state
The average cafeteria attendant salary in Washington, Idaho, and California are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average cafeteria attendant salary states are Utah, North Carolina, and Alabama.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for cafeteria attendants
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | $31,289 | $15.04 |
| 2 | Arizona | $29,557 | $14.21 |
| 3 | Nevada | $28,778 | $13.84 |
| 4 | Oregon | $31,587 | $15.19 |
| 5 | Hawaii | $34,106 | $16.40 |
| 6 | Montana | $28,582 | $13.74 |
| 7 | Maine | $33,774 | $16.24 |
| 8 | Colorado | $30,258 | $14.55 |
| 9 | Idaho | $36,065 | $17.34 |
| 10 | Washington | $36,229 | $17.42 |
| 11 | California | $34,969 | $16.81 |
| 12 | Wyoming | $26,395 | $12.69 |
| 13 | New York | $32,218 | $15.49 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $29,171 | $14.02 |
| 15 | Michigan | $25,963 | $12.48 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $31,211 | $15.01 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $28,407 | $13.66 |
| 18 | North Dakota | $28,505 | $13.70 |
| 19 | District of Columbia | $33,745 | $16.22 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | $27,234 | $13.09 |
| 21 | Connecticut | $28,236 | $13.57 |
| 22 | Kansas | $25,696 | $12.35 |
| 23 | Ohio | $24,359 | $11.71 |
| 24 | Maryland | $26,529 | $12.75 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $25,272 | $12.15 |
| 26 | Oklahoma | $24,034 | $11.55 |
| 27 | Kentucky | $23,948 | $11.51 |
| 28 | Indiana | $24,264 | $11.67 |
| 29 | Illinois | $26,638 | $12.81 |
| 30 | Florida | $22,752 | $10.94 |
| 31 | New Mexico | $25,208 | $12.12 |
| 32 | Missouri | $23,471 | $11.28 |
| 33 | West Virginia | $24,173 | $11.62 |
| 34 | Iowa | $24,175 | $11.62 |
| 35 | Delaware | $25,935 | $12.47 |
| 36 | New Jersey | $23,433 | $11.27 |
| 37 | Georgia | $23,170 | $11.14 |
| 38 | Texas | $21,668 | $10.42 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $21,670 | $10.42 |
| 40 | Arkansas | $23,252 | $11.18 |
| 41 | Alaska | $21,671 | $10.42 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $21,969 | $10.56 |
| 43 | Utah | $20,993 | $10.09 |
| 44 | Pennsylvania | $22,164 | $10.66 |
| 45 | Virginia | $22,091 | $10.62 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $20,421 | $9.82 |
| 47 | South Dakota | $22,346 | $10.74 |
| 48 | Alabama | $20,365 | $9.79 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $16,905 | $8.13 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $19,935 | $9.58 |
| 51 | Nebraska | $19,267 | $9.26 |
Highest paying cities for cafeteria attendants
The highest-paying cities for cafeteria attendants are Renton, WA, San Francisco, CA, and Washington, DC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renton, WA | $36,245 | $17.43 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $35,965 | $17.29 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $33,781 | $16.24 |
| 4 | Buffalo, NY | $32,901 | $15.82 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $31,502 | $15.15 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $31,217 | $15.01 |
| 7 | Broomfield, CO | $30,353 | $14.59 |
| 8 | Scottsdale, AZ | $29,605 | $14.23 |
| 9 | Reno, NV | $29,573 | $14.22 |
| 10 | Saint Paul, MN | $29,146 | $14.01 |
| 11 | Newport, RI | $27,189 | $13.07 |
| 12 | Chicago, IL | $26,729 | $12.85 |
| 13 | Albuquerque, NM | $25,318 | $12.17 |
| 14 | Oklahoma City, OK | $24,030 | $11.55 |
| 15 | Atlanta, GA | $23,264 | $11.18 |
| 16 | Daytona Beach, FL | $22,836 | $10.98 |
| 17 | Atlantic City, NJ | $22,766 | $10.95 |
| 18 | Philadelphia, PA | $22,140 | $10.64 |
| 19 | Fort Worth, TX | $21,863 | $10.51 |
| 20 | Charleston, SC | $21,782 | $10.47 |
Cafeteria attendant salary details
A cafeteria attendant's salary ranges from $21,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $34,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a cafeteria attendant's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| 75th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| Average | $27,558 | $2,297 | $13 |
| 25th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
| 10th Percentile | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10 |
Highest paying cafeteria attendant jobs
The highest paying types of cafeteria attendants are dining room coordinator, dining room hostess, and banquet houseman.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus Boy | $24,432 | $2,036 | $11.75 | 17,550 |
| Busser | $24,111 | $2,009 | $11.59 | 14,989 |
| Dining Room Server | $29,540 | $2,462 | $14.20 | 99,079 |
| Bus Person | $24,058 | $2,005 | $11.57 | 47,277 |
| Bar Back | $25,316 | $2,110 | $12.17 | 56,369 |
| Room Service Server | $26,717 | $2,226 | $12.84 | 144,551 |
Top companies hiring cafeteria attendants now:
Which companies pay cafeteria attendants the most?
Cafeteria attendant salaries at Boston Public Schools and HEI Hotels & Resorts are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average cafeteria attendant salary at companies like Hyatt Hotels and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston Public Schools | $36,473 | $17.54 |
| 2 | HEI Hotels & Resorts | $32,862 | $15.80 |
| 3 | Hyatt Hotels | $32,433 | $15.59 |
| 4 | Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts | $32,216 | $15.49 |
| 5 | Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | $32,077 | $15.42 |
| 6 | Avera Health | $29,680 | $14.27 |
| 7 | St Joseph Medical Group | $29,583 | $14.22 |
| 8 | Catholic Health East | $28,896 | $13.89 |
| 9 | InterContinental Hotels Group Resources, Inc. | $28,821 | $13.86 |
| 10 | Marriott International | $28,686 | $13.79 |
| 11 | Sage Hospitality Group | $28,542 | $13.72 |
| 12 | Hersha Hospitality | $28,253 | $13.58 |
| 13 | Highgate Hotels | $28,190 | $13.55 |
| 14 | Hard Rock Hotels | $28,161 | $13.54 |
| 15 | Aerotek | $28,105 | $13.51 |
| 16 | Biltmore | $28,054 | $13.49 |
| 17 | McAlester Regional Health Center | $27,995 | $13.46 |
| 18 | Management & Training | $27,889 | $13.41 |
| 19 | Aleut | $27,728 | $13.33 |
| 20 | Hilton | $27,704 | $13.32 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Cafeteria Attendant salary by industry
The average cafeteria attendant salary varies across industries:
- The average cafeteria attendant salary in the hospitality industry is $30,366, the highest of any industry.
- The average cafeteria attendant salary in the finance industry is $28,994.
- Cafeteria attendants in the education industry earn an average salary of $27,880, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for cafeteria attendants
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hospitality | $30,366 | $14.60 |
| 2 | Health Care | $28,994 | $13.94 |
| 3 | Professional | $28,434 | $13.67 |
| 4 | Education | $27,880 | $13.40 |
High paying cafeteria attendant jobs
Cafeteria attendant salary trends
The average cafeteria attendant salary has risen by $7,261 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average cafeteria attendant earned $20,297 annually, but today, they earn $27,558 a year. That works out to a 24% change in pay for cafeteria attendants over the last decade.
Compare cafeteria attendant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average cafeteria attendant salary over time
Compare cafeteria attendant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Cafeteria attendant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $27,600 | $13.25 | +6.2% |
| 2025 | $25,900 | $12.43 | +5.1% |
| 2024 | $24,500 | $11.80 | +5.0% |
| 2023 | $23,300 | $11.21 | +4.5% |
| 2022 | $22,300 | $10.70 | +4.6% |
Recently added cafeteria attendant salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonesta Hotels | Cafeteria Attendant | Marina, CA | 06/30/2025 | $47,291 |
| Pico de Gallo | Cafeteria Attendant | Morganfield, KY | 06/29/2025 | $35,896 |
| Westgate Resorts | Cafeteria Attendant | Gatlinburg, TN | 06/29/2025 | $33,392 |
| Westgate Resorts | Cafeteria Attendant | Orlando, FL | 06/27/2025 | $31,305 |
| Hilton | Cafeteria Attendant-Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace | Orlando, FL | 06/26/2025 | $35,479 |
| Hilton | Cafeteria Attendant-Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace | Buena Vista, CA | 06/26/2025 | $35,479 |
| Pico de Gallo | Cafeteria Attendant | Charleston, WV | 06/26/2025 | $35,896 |
| Marriott Hotels Resorts | Seasonal Cafeteria Attendant | San Diego, CA | 06/15/2025 | $54,262 |
| MTC | Cafeteria Attendant | Astoria, OR | 06/07/2025 | $35,896 |
| MTC | Cafeteria Attendant | Clearfield, UT | 06/07/2025 | $35,896 |
Cafeteria attendant salary FAQs
Search for cafeteria attendant jobs