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Food and nutrition services assistant salary
Average food and nutrition services assistant salary
$14.82
Understanding Food and Nutrition Services Assistant Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Food and Nutrition Services Assistant is approximately $30,832 annually, or about $15 per hour. These professionals are essential in healthcare settings, supporting the nutritional needs of patients through meal preparation and dietary assistance. Factors influencing salary include geographic location, years of experience, and specific job responsibilities.
Regional Salary Variations
Salary levels can vary significantly based on state and city. For example, states with higher living costs or greater demand for healthcare services often offer better compensation. Major cities typically provide higher salaries compared to rural areas, reflecting the cost of living and job market dynamics.
Advancement Opportunities
Food and Nutrition Services Assistants have the potential for career growth, particularly through further education or specialization in nutrition. Opportunities exist for advancement into roles such as dietetic technicians or nutrition coordinators, which can lead to increased salaries and responsibilities.
Conclusion
For those interested in a rewarding career that combines healthcare and nutrition, the role of a Food and Nutrition Services Assistant is a great entry point. Explore job listings in your area to find positions that match your skills and salary expectations.
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Where can a Food And Nutrition Services Assistant earn more?
Average food and nutrition services assistant salary by state
The average food and nutrition services assistant salary in Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average food and nutrition services assistant salary states are South Carolina, Indiana, and Georgia.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for food and nutrition services assistants
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| 2 | Michigan | $34,193 | $16.44 |
| 3 | Illinois | $34,436 | $16.56 |
| 4 | Maine | $33,463 | $16.09 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $32,538 | $15.64 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $33,536 | $16.12 |
| 7 | West Virginia | $31,914 | $15.34 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $33,805 | $16.25 |
| 9 | Minnesota | $32,243 | $15.50 |
| 10 | New York | $33,974 | $16.33 |
| 11 | Idaho | $31,131 | $14.97 |
| 12 | Washington | $32,551 | $15.65 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $31,112 | $14.96 |
| 14 | Utah | $30,395 | $14.61 |
| 15 | North Dakota | $29,770 | $14.31 |
| 16 | Oregon | $31,291 | $15.04 |
| 17 | Connecticut | $31,741 | $15.26 |
| 18 | Arizona | $30,220 | $14.53 |
| 19 | Delaware | $31,004 | $14.91 |
| 20 | District of Columbia | $31,805 | $15.29 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | $28,988 | $13.94 |
| 22 | Wyoming | $28,827 | $13.86 |
| 23 | Missouri | $29,803 | $14.33 |
| 24 | Vermont | $29,895 | $14.37 |
| 25 | Nevada | $29,027 | $13.96 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $28,778 | $13.84 |
| 27 | New Mexico | $29,106 | $13.99 |
| 28 | Montana | $29,064 | $13.97 |
| 29 | Ohio | $28,058 | $13.49 |
| 30 | Colorado | $29,720 | $14.29 |
| 31 | South Dakota | $27,894 | $13.41 |
| 32 | Maryland | $29,803 | $14.33 |
| 33 | California | $29,793 | $14.32 |
| 34 | Kentucky | $27,718 | $13.33 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $27,125 | $13.04 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $29,327 | $14.10 |
| 37 | Alaska | $28,389 | $13.65 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $26,992 | $12.98 |
| 39 | Texas | $26,899 | $12.93 |
| 40 | Alabama | $25,768 | $12.39 |
| 41 | Kansas | $26,178 | $12.59 |
| 42 | Virginia | $26,993 | $12.98 |
| 43 | Nebraska | $25,977 | $12.49 |
| 44 | Mississippi | $25,313 | $12.17 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $25,143 | $12.09 |
| 46 | Indiana | $25,077 | $12.06 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $25,141 | $12.09 |
| 48 | North Carolina | $24,465 | $11.76 |
| 49 | Georgia | $24,772 | $11.91 |
| 50 | Florida | $24,476 | $11.77 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $23,687 | $11.39 |
Highest paying cities for food and nutrition services assistants
The highest-paying cities for food and nutrition services assistants are Des Moines, IA, Elmira, NY, and Longview, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines, IA | $34,321 | $16.50 |
| 2 | Elmira, NY | $34,204 | $16.44 |
| 3 | Longview, WA | $32,701 | $15.72 |
| 4 | Eugene, OR | $31,336 | $15.07 |
| 5 | Novato, CA | $30,380 | $14.61 |
| 6 | Chesterfield, MO | $29,669 | $14.26 |
| 7 | Bismarck, ND | $29,598 | $14.23 |
| 8 | Stevens Point, WI | $29,212 | $14.04 |
| 9 | Anchorage, AK | $28,427 | $13.67 |
| 10 | Athens, OH | $27,428 | $13.19 |
| 11 | Irving, TX | $26,918 | $12.94 |
| 12 | Decatur, AL | $26,082 | $12.54 |
| 13 | Albany, GA | $24,463 | $11.76 |
| 14 | Pompano Beach, FL | $24,165 | $11.62 |
Food and nutrition services assistant salary details
A food and nutrition services assistant's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $36,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a food and nutrition services assistant's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| 75th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| Average | $30,832 | $2,569 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying food and nutrition services assistant jobs
The highest paying types of food and nutrition services assistants are crew trainer, lead crew member, and nutrition assistant.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew Member | $28,946 | $2,412 | $13.92 | 239,413 |
| Crew Trainer | $53,128 | $4,427 | $25.54 | 101,338 |
| Lead Crew Member | $32,857 | $2,738 | $15.80 | 152,202 |
| Mcdonalds Crew Member | $26,648 | $2,221 | $12.81 | 133,695 |
| Cook/Server | $29,716 | $2,476 | $14.29 | 257,582 |
| Line Server | $28,300 | $2,358 | $13.61 | 246,165 |
Top companies hiring food and nutrition services assistants now:
Which companies pay food and nutrition services assistants the most?
Food and nutrition services assistant salaries at Maine Health/maine Mental Health Partners and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average food and nutrition services assistant salary at companies like Froedtert Hospital and Aspirus are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine Health/maine Mental Health Partners | $35,791 | $17.21 |
| 2 | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | $34,020 | $16.36 |
| 3 | Froedtert Hospital | $33,035 | $15.88 |
| 4 | Aspirus | $32,459 | $15.61 |
| 5 | Sacramento City Unified School District | $32,201 | $15.48 |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | $32,151 | $15.46 |
| 7 | Northwell Health | $32,099 | $15.43 |
| 8 | John Muir Health | $32,056 | $15.41 |
| 9 | PeaceHealth | $31,733 | $15.26 |
| 10 | Huntsville Hospital | $31,435 | $15.11 |
| 11 | Providence Health & Services | $31,057 | $14.93 |
| 12 | St. Luke's Hospital | $30,772 | $14.79 |
| 13 | Irving Isd | $30,596 | $14.71 |
| 14 | Broward Health | $30,489 | $14.66 |
| 15 | Arnot Health | $30,374 | $14.60 |
| 16 | HealthTrust | $30,317 | $14.58 |
| 17 | Sanford Health | $30,215 | $14.53 |
| 18 | Dartmouth-Hitchcock | $29,754 | $14.30 |
| 19 | Community Health Systems | $29,693 | $14.28 |
| 20 | Americorps | $29,575 | $14.22 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Food and nutrition services assistant salary trends
The average food and nutrition services assistant salary has risen by $6,966 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average food and nutrition services assistant earned $23,866 annually, but today, they earn $30,832 a year. That works out to a 21% change in pay for food and nutrition services assistants over the last decade.
Compare food and nutrition services assistant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average food and nutrition services assistant salary over time
Compare food and nutrition services assistant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Food and nutrition services assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $30,800 | $14.82 | +4.7% |
| 2024 | $29,400 | $14.13 | +5.4% |
| 2023 | $27,800 | $13.37 | +5.0% |
| 2022 | $26,400 | $12.70 | +3.7% |
| 2021 | $25,400 | $12.24 | +2.7% |
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