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Food service aide salary
Average food service aide salary
$14.16
Average Food Service Aide Salary
The average salary for a Food Service Aide in the United States is approximately $29,461 per year, or about $14.16 per hour. This salary can vary based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and specific job responsibilities.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level Food Service Aides typically earn less than those with more experience. For example, novices may start at around $25,000, while seasoned professionals can earn upwards of $35,000 annually. This trend highlights the potential for growth within the field.
Where Can You Earn More?
Some states offer higher salaries for Food Service Aides. For instance, California and New York tend to have the highest average salaries, making them attractive options for job seekers. Additionally, working in hospitals or upscale dining establishments may also lead to better pay.
Job Opportunities
Food Service Aides find employment in various settings, including schools, hospitals, and senior living facilities. This variety not only provides job security but also the chance to make a positive impact on community health and wellness.
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Where can a Food Service Aide earn more?
Food service aide salaries by experience level
Food service aide salary estimates from across the web
Average food service aide salary by state
The highest-paying states for food service aides are Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. The lowest average food service aide salary states are Arkansas, Georgia, and Mississippi.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for food service aides
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $35,514 | $17.07 |
| 2 | Iowa | $29,668 | $14.26 |
| 3 | Minnesota | $30,643 | $14.73 |
| 4 | New York | $32,893 | $15.81 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $37,545 | $18.05 |
| 6 | Vermont | $34,459 | $16.57 |
| 7 | Oregon | $38,390 | $18.46 |
| 8 | Washington | $37,186 | $17.88 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $30,051 | $14.45 |
| 10 | Alaska | $29,239 | $14.06 |
| 11 | South Dakota | $28,014 | $13.47 |
| 12 | Massachusetts | $31,056 | $14.93 |
| 13 | Montana | $27,576 | $13.26 |
| 14 | California | $36,510 | $17.55 |
| 15 | Utah | $31,793 | $15.29 |
| 16 | Wisconsin | $26,575 | $12.78 |
| 17 | Michigan | $26,773 | $12.87 |
| 18 | Connecticut | $30,104 | $14.47 |
| 19 | Nebraska | $27,672 | $13.30 |
| 20 | Florida | $29,129 | $14.00 |
| 21 | North Dakota | $28,461 | $13.68 |
| 22 | Arizona | $28,945 | $13.92 |
| 23 | Indiana | $25,475 | $12.25 |
| 24 | Hawaii | $32,153 | $15.46 |
| 25 | New Jersey | $27,359 | $13.15 |
| 26 | Illinois | $27,101 | $13.03 |
| 27 | Nevada | $27,089 | $13.02 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $25,947 | $12.47 |
| 29 | District of Columbia | $32,057 | $15.41 |
| 30 | Colorado | $29,301 | $14.09 |
| 31 | Wyoming | $25,494 | $12.26 |
| 32 | Delaware | $26,953 | $12.96 |
| 33 | Texas | $26,298 | $12.64 |
| 34 | Kentucky | $24,427 | $11.74 |
| 35 | West Virginia | $23,739 | $11.41 |
| 36 | Ohio | $24,348 | $11.71 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $24,087 | $11.58 |
| 38 | Kansas | $23,188 | $11.15 |
| 39 | Idaho | $24,289 | $11.68 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $22,798 | $10.96 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $23,502 | $11.30 |
| 42 | Virginia | $25,493 | $12.26 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $23,200 | $11.15 |
| 44 | Mississippi | $20,942 | $10.07 |
| 45 | Maryland | $25,030 | $12.03 |
| 46 | Tennessee | $20,295 | $9.76 |
| 47 | Missouri | $22,899 | $11.01 |
| 48 | Georgia | $21,500 | $10.34 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $22,063 | $10.61 |
| 50 | Alabama | $20,450 | $9.83 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $19,960 | $9.60 |
Highest paying cities for food service aides
The highest-paying cities for food service aides are San Francisco, CA, Rochester, NY, and Boston, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $38,024 | $18.28 |
| 2 | Rochester, NY | $33,510 | $16.11 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $31,035 | $14.92 |
| 4 | Sioux City, IA | $29,996 | $14.42 |
| 5 | Peoria, AZ | $29,146 | $14.01 |
| 6 | Teaneck, NJ | $27,545 | $13.24 |
| 7 | Arlington Heights, IL | $27,339 | $13.14 |
| 8 | Stevens Point, WI | $27,274 | $13.11 |
| 9 | Denton, TX | $26,489 | $12.74 |
| 10 | Reading, PA | $26,059 | $12.53 |
| 11 | Columbus, IN | $25,069 | $12.05 |
| 12 | Cleveland, OH | $25,030 | $12.03 |
| 13 | College Park, MD | $24,914 | $11.98 |
| 14 | Asheville, NC | $24,142 | $11.61 |
| 15 | Clovis, NM | $22,567 | $10.85 |
| 16 | Newnan, GA | $21,518 | $10.35 |
Food service aide salary details
A food service aide's salary ranges from $23,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $36,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a food service aide's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| 75th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| Average | $29,461 | $2,455 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11 |
Highest paying food service aide jobs
The highest paying types of food service aides are deli clerk, food service coordinator, and food service associate.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Staff | $29,816 | $2,485 | $14.33 | 154,513 |
| Bakery Clerk | $28,651 | $2,388 | $13.77 | 67,778 |
| Deli Worker | $28,578 | $2,382 | $13.74 | 37,658 |
| Deli Clerk | $32,240 | $2,687 | $15.50 | 69,311 |
| Sandwich Artist | $23,564 | $1,964 | $11.33 | 7,813 |
| Food Prep/Dishwasher | $29,964 | $2,497 | $14.41 | 113,200 |
Top companies hiring food service aides now:
Which companies pay food service aides the most?
Food service aide salaries at West Contra Costa Unified School District and Sutter Health are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average food service aide salary at companies like Vidant Health and Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation Inc. are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Contra Costa Unified School District | $34,962 | $16.81 |
| 2 | Sutter Health | $33,461 | $16.09 |
| 3 | Vidant Health | $33,348 | $16.03 |
| 4 | Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation Inc. | $33,058 | $15.89 |
| 5 | Garnet Health | $33,055 | $15.89 |
| 6 | St. Joseph's Health | $33,016 | $15.87 |
| 7 | Griffin Hospital | $32,956 | $15.84 |
| 8 | University of Rochester | $32,917 | $15.83 |
| 9 | TidalHealth | $32,789 | $15.76 |
| 10 | Dignity Health | $32,630 | $15.69 |
| 11 | Mt. Hood Community College | $32,493 | $15.62 |
| 12 | Hackensack Meridian Health | $32,457 | $15.60 |
| 13 | Brigham and Women's Hospital | $32,430 | $15.59 |
| 14 | Grand View Health | $32,373 | $15.56 |
| 15 | Providence Health & Services | $32,329 | $15.54 |
| 16 | East Tennessee Children's Hospital | $32,283 | $15.52 |
| 17 | Mount Sinai Health System | $32,239 | $15.50 |
| 18 | Northwestern Medicine | $32,200 | $15.48 |
| 19 | AtlantiCare | $32,172 | $15.47 |
| 20 | Oak Valley Hospital District | $32,169 | $15.47 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Food service aide salary trends
The average food service aide salary has risen by $7,685 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average food service aide earned $21,776 annually, but today, they earn $29,461 a year. That works out to a 22% change in pay for food service aides over the last decade.
Compare food service aide salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average food service aide salary over time
Compare food service aide salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Food service aide salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $29,500 | $14.16 | +4.9% |
| 2025 | $28,000 | $13.47 | +4.3% |
| 2024 | $26,800 | $12.89 | +4.2% |
| 2023 | $25,700 | $12.35 | +5.7% |
| 2022 | $24,200 | $11.65 | +5.9% |
Recently added food service aide salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Parker Company | Food Service Aide-Landing Lane (PER Diem) #2105 | New Brunswick, NJ | 06/29/2025 | $39,653 |
| Select Medical Corporation | Food Service Aide/ | Erie, PA | 06/27/2025 | $28,112 |
| Bauer Family Resources | Food Services Aide | Lafayette, IN | 06/27/2025 | $31,994 |
| Oakview Health and Rehabilitation | Food Service Aide-Evening Shift | Summerville, GA | 06/27/2025 | $29,218 |
| Encompass Health Corp | Food Services Aide | York, PA | 06/26/2025 | $35,479 |
| BOCC | Bilingual Food Service Aide | Tampa, FL | 06/26/2025 | $34,320 |
| Public School of North Carolina | Food Service Aide-Location To BE Determined | Columbus, NC | 06/25/2025 | $31,305 |
| Lifecare Medical Center | Roseau Food Service Aide | Roseau, MN | 06/25/2025 | $35,479 |
| Select Medical | Food Service Aide-Inpatient Rehab | Miami, FL | 06/24/2025 | $34,436 |
| Hillsborough County | Bilingual Food Service Aide | Tampa, FL | 06/24/2025 | $34,320 |
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