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Food Services Worker Salary in the United States

How much does a Food Services Worker make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Food Services Worker in the United States is $31,636 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $15.

However, a Food Services Worker's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $35,927
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $29,065 to $33,882
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $26,724
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Food Services Worker Salaries

A Food Services Worker's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Food Services Worker Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Food Services Worker's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Food Services Worker (0-1 years): $31,636
  • Food Services Team Lead (1-2 years): $41,170
  • Food Services Supervisor (3-5 years): $66,640
  • Food Services Manager (5+ years): $85,855
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Food Services Worker0-1 years$31,636
Food Services Team Lead1-2 years$41,170
Food Services Supervisor3-5 years$66,640
Food Services Manager5+ years$85,855
View as Graph

How Do Food Services Workers Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Food Services Workers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $35,027.
  • California: $34,895.
  • Massachusetts: $34,429.

Top Paying Cities for Food Services Worker

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $39,902
  • San Francisco: $39,466
  • Oakland: $38,634

What Skills Can Increase a Food Services Worker's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 14.61% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Foodservice (Mentioned in 2.87% Job Postings): The foodservice or catering industry includes the businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home. It includes restaurants, school and hospital cafeterias, catering operations, and many other formats.
  • Catering (Mentioned in 1.44% Job Postings): Catering is the business of providing food service at a remote site or a site such as a hotel, hospital, pub, aircraft, cruise ship, park, festival, filming location or film studio.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 14.61%
Foodservice 2.87%
Catering 1.44%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Food Services Worker's salary.

  • Generosity: Can increase your salary by up to 38%.
  • WFM: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Generosity $43,658
38%
WFM $35,749
13%
Commitment $35,116
11%
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Food Services Worker Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Food Services Worker salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $35,415. While startup companies pay approximate $29,960.

Food Services Worker Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $29,960
Growth Stage 51~500 $31,686
Established 501~5000 $34,199
Enterprise 5000+ $35,415

Food Services Worker Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Food Services Worker roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 32% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Food Services Worker positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Food Services Worker as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Food Services Worker

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$37,330$18.018%
Pharmaceuticals$36,381$17.015%
Biotechnology$35,432$17.012%
Energy & Utilities$34,800$17.010%
Aerospace & Defense$34,167$16.08%

How Education impacts an Food Services Worker's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Food Services Worker enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Food Services Worker with a Bachelor's Degree is between $32,473 and $34,955.

Food Services Worker Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Food Services Worker
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 8.8%
High School 50.8%
Associates 24.9%
Bachelors 15.0%
Masters 0.5%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Food Services Worker Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Food Services Worker's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$29,065
Average $31,636/year
$33,882
$2,422
Average $2,636/month
$2,824
$559
Average $608/week
$652
$14
Average $15/hour
$16
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $33,882 $2,824 $652 $16
Average $31,636 $2,636 $608 $15
25th Percentile $29,065 $2,422 $559 $14

Food Services Worker Salary Growth & Career Path

Food Services Worker

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Food Services Worker, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Fast Food Shift Supervisor $34,688 10%
Fine Dining Restaurant Manager $59,455 88%
Food & Beverage Supervisor $40,398 28%
Food Services Team Lead $41,170 30%

Most common benefits for Food Services Worker

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Food Services Worker

Here are companies hiring for Food Services Worker and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Food Services Worker

1. Where can a Food Services Worker earn the most?

A Food Services Worker's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Food Services Worker earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Food Services Worker is $39,902.

2. What is the highest pay for Food Services Worker?

The highest pay for Food Services Worker is $35,927.

3. What is the lowest pay for Food Services Worker?

The lowest pay for Food Services Worker is $26,724.

4. What are the responsibilities of Food Services Worker?

Prepares a variety of food according to proper preparation methods. Responsible for standard food service work including sanitation duties and various serving responsibilities. Knowledgeable of proper food handling procedures and regulations regarding the food code. May require a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Food Services Worker?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Food Services Worker roles, with salaries approximately 18% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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