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:
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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 |
Lady of the Sea General Hospital - CUT OFF, LA
GreenTree of Hubbell / Our Lady of Mercy - HUBBELL, MI
A New You Total Wellness - BOISE, ID
Qualitas Dental Partners - WARWICK, RI
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.
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:
| 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 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Lunch Ladies. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
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.
| 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 |
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, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $35,647 |
| 2024 | $35,058 |
| 2025 | $34,822 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Lunch Lady and their salaries, click below for more details.
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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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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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