Food Service Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does a Food Service Assistant make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Food Service Assistant in the United States is $30,958 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $15.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $35,182
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $28,204 to $33,169
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $25,697
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View as table View as graph 25% $28,204 10% $25,697 90% $35,182 75% $33,169 $30,958 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Food Service Assistant Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $33,169 $2,764 $638 $16
Average $30,958 $2,580 $595 $15
25th Percentile $28,204 $2,350 $542 $14
Check out Food Service Assistant Job Openings in the United States
Food Service Assistant

Costco Wholesale Corporation - Columbus, OH

Food Service

SSA Group, LLC - Columbus, OH

Food Service

Littleton's Market - Columbus, OH

Food Service

SSA Attractions Group - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Food Service Assistant Salaries

A Food Service Assistant'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.

Top Paying Cities for Food Service Assistants

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: $39,047
  • San Francisco: $38,620
  • Oakland: $37,806

What Skills Can Increase a Food Service Assistant'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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 14.61%
Foodservice 2.87%
Catering 1.44%
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 Service Assistant'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
$42,722
38%
WFM
$34,982
13%
Commitment
$34,363
11%
Analysis
$33,125
7%
Brand Awareness
$33,125
7%
Decision Making
$32,815
6%
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Food Service Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Food Service Assistant 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 Service Assistant positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Food Service Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Food Service Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$36,530$18.018%
Pharmaceuticals$35,602$17.015%
Biotechnology$34,673$17.012%
Energy & Utilities$34,054$16.010%
Aerospace & Defense$33,435$16.08%

How Education impacts a Food Service Assistant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Food Service Assistants enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Food Service Assistant with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $32,120 and $34,508).

Food Service Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Food Service Assistant
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%
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Food Service Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Food Service Assistant'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 Service Assistant

Salaries for a Food Service Assistant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $30,702 in 2023 to around $30,199 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Food Service Assistant salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Food Service Assistant Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$30,702
2024
$30,553
2025
$30,199
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $30,702
2024 $30,553
2025 $30,199
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Food Service Assistant

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Food Service Assistant

Here are companies hiring for Food Service Assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Food Service Assistant Job

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

United States
  • SSA Attractions Group

    Columbus, OH

    SSA Attractions Group | Columbus, OH

    SSA Attractions Group - 333 West Broad Street - Responsibilities: Ensure location is adequately stocked, prepped and staffed for daily operation. Oversee q... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Aramark

    Columbus, OH

    Aramark | Columbus, OH

    Aramark - - Responsibilities: Lead all aspects of food preparation and station setup. Cook and prepare foods according to recipes. Maintain daily temperatu... more

    1 Day Ago

  • AVI Foodsystems

    Columbus, OH

    AVI Foodsystems | Columbus, OH

    Cashier Position. AVI Foodsystems is looking for an energetic and optimistic team member to fill the role of Cashier. This is a morning shift position that... more

    1 Day Ago

  • RI International

    Columbus, OH

    RI International | Columbus, OH

    Food Service Associate. Change Lives With Recovery Innovations. Our mission is to empower people on their journey to recovery, helping them achieve their g... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Corporate Chefs

    Columbus, OH

    Corporate Chefs | Columbus, OH

    Food Service Worker. We are looking to add a motivated food service worker to our team. As a food service worker, you will have the opportunity to perform ... more

    2 Days Ago

  • True North

    Columbus, OH

    True North | Columbus, OH

    Food Service Cook. The Food Service Cook is responsible for preparing, cooking, and presenting Krispy Krunchy Chicken products in accordance with company s... more

    3 Days Ago

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FAQ about Food Service Assistant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Food Service Assistant?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Food Service Assistant 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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