Lunch Lady Salary in the United States

How much does a Lunch Lady make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lunch Lady in the United States is $28,246 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $14.

However, a Lunch Lady's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $32,212
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $26,477 to $30,322
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $24,867
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View as table View as graph 25% $26,477 10% $24,867 90% $32,212 75% $30,322 $28,246 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Lunch Lady Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $30,322 $2,527 $583 $15
Average $28,246 $2,354 $543 $14
25th Percentile $26,477 $2,206 $509 $13
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Key Factors That Influence Lunch Lady Salaries

A Lunch Lady'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 Experience Level Affects Lunch Lady Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lunch Lady'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $28,320
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $28,614
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $29,381
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $29,486
  • Expert (over 8 years): $29,660
Levels Salary
Entry Level Lunch Lady$28,320
Intermediate Level Lunch Lady$28,614
Senior Level Lunch Lady$29,381
Specialist Level Lunch Lady$29,486
Expert Level Lunch Lady$29,660
$28,320 0 yr
$28,614 < 2 yrs
$29,381 2-4 yrs
$29,486 5-8 yrs
$29,660 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Lunch Ladies

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: $35,626
  • San Francisco: $35,276
  • Oakland: $34,494

Lunch Lady Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lunch Lady'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Lunch Lady

Salaries for a Lunch Lady can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $35,647 in 2023 to around $34,822 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Lunch Lady salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Lunch Lady Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$35,647
2024
$35,058
2025
$34,822
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $35,647
2024 $35,058
2025 $34,822
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Lunch Lady

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Lunch Lady

Here are companies hiring for Lunch Lady and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Lunch Lady Job

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

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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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