Food And Beverage Associate Salary in the United States

How much does a Food And Beverage Associate make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Food And Beverage Associate in the United States is $26,169 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $13.

However, a Food And Beverage Associate's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $29,740
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $23,841 to $28,038
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $21,721
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View as table View as graph 25% $23,841 10% $21,721 90% $29,740 75% $28,038 $26,169 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Food And Beverage Associate Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $28,038 $2,337 $539 $13
Average $26,169 $2,181 $503 $13
25th Percentile $23,841 $1,987 $458 $11
Check out Food And Beverage Associate Job Openings in the United States
Food and Beverage Supervisor

Athletic Club of Columbus - Columbus, OH

Food Consumables Team Associate

Walmart Stores - Columbus, OH

Food Service Associate

RI International - Columbus, OH

Food&amp Beverage Manager

Middletown Hotel Management - Columbus, OH

Search More Food And Beverage Associate Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Food And Beverage Associate Salaries

A Food And Beverage Associate'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Food And Beverage Associate 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 And Beverage Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $28,974.
  • California: $28,864.
  • Massachusetts: $28,480.

Top Paying Cities for Food And Beverage Associates

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: $33,007
  • San Francisco: $32,646
  • Oakland: $31,958

What Skills Can Increase a Food And Beverage Associate's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 12.76% 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.
  • Food Handling (Mentioned in 3.11% Job Postings): Food Handling means one or more operations of food production, manufacture, offering or displaying for sale, storage, preserving, wrapping, transportation, delivery, importation, exportation, or the licensing or approval for any of such activities.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 1.57% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 12.76%
Food Handling 3.11%
Packaging 1.57%
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 And Beverage Associate's salary.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Initiative
$28,263
8%
Accountability
$28,263
8%
Leadership
$28,001
7%
Team Management
$28,001
7%
Safety Policies and Procedures
$28,001
7%
Cash Handling
$27,739
6%
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Food And Beverage Associate Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Food And Beverage Associate roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and MFG Nondurable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Food And Beverage Associate positions in Financial Services or Pharmaceuticals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Food And Beverage Associate as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Food And Beverage Associate

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$36,637$18.040%
MFG Nondurable$35,328$17.035%
Business Services$34,020$16.030%
Aerospace & Defense$32,711$16.025%
Insurance$31,403$15.020%

Food And Beverage Associate Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Food And Beverage Associate'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

Salary Trends for Food And Beverage Associate

Salaries for a Food And Beverage Associate can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $29,978 in 2023 to around $29,487 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Food And Beverage Associate salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Food And Beverage Associate Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$29,978
2024
$29,832
2025
$29,487
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $29,978
2024 $29,832
2025 $29,487
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Food And Beverage Associate

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Food And Beverage Associate

Here are companies hiring for Food And Beverage Associate and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Food And Beverage Associate Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Food And Beverage Associate job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • PENN Entertainment

    Columbus, OH

    PENN Entertainment | Columbus, OH

    We're Changing Entertainment. Come Join Us.We're always looking for talent that believes in having fun. At PENN Entertainment, you'll get to be a part of a... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Hospitality Staffing Solutions

    Columbus, OH

    Hospitality Staffing Solutions | Columbus, OH

    [Wait Staff / Team Member / Food Service] - $16-$20 Per Hour (Weekly pay + Special Events) / Part-time or Full-time Hours / AM & PM Shifts Available - Hosp... more

    4 Days Ago

  • PENN Entertainment

    Columbus, OH

    PENN Entertainment | Columbus, OH

    We're Changing Entertainment. Come Join Us. We're always looking for talent that believes in having fun. At PENN Entertainment, you'll get to be a part of ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • SSA Group, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    SSA Group, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Food Service Associate. SSA Group works with zoos, aquariums, museums, and other cultural attractions on integrating dining, retail, admissions and more. W... more

    2 Days Ago

  • United Dairy Farmers

    Columbus, OH

    United Dairy Farmers | Columbus, OH

    United Dairy Farmers - 2191 Polaris Parkway - Responsibilities: Maintain a safe, clean, and stocked foodservice area in the store. Provide outstanding gues... more

    1 Day Ago

  • United Dairy Farmers

    Columbus, OH

    United Dairy Farmers | Columbus, OH

    United Dairy Farmers - - Responsibilities: Lead food service area operations to ensure safety and cleanliness. Train associates on foodservice programs and... more

    1 Day Ago

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FAQ about Food And Beverage Associate

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Food And Beverage Associate?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Food And Beverage Associate roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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.)

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