Cheese Department Associate Salary in the United States

How much does a Cheese Department Associate make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cheese Department Associate in the United States is $35,822 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.

However, a Cheese Department Associate's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $40,770
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $33,531 to $38,412
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $31,446
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View as table View as graph 25% $33,531 10% $31,446 90% $40,770 75% $38,412 $35,822 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Cheese Department Associate Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $38,412 $3,201 $739 $18
Average $35,822 $2,985 $689 $17
25th Percentile $33,531 $2,794 $645 $16
Check out Cheese Department Associate Job Openings in the United States
Wine&amp Beer Department Associate

Jungle Jim's International Market - Fairfield, OH

Cut&amp Wrap Associate

Euro USA - Cleveland, OH

Search More Cheese Department Associate Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Cheese Department Associate Salaries

A Cheese Department 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Cheese Department Associate Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cheese Department Associate'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): $35,459
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $35,707
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $36,279
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $36,393
  • Expert (over 8 years): $36,469
Levels Salary
Entry Level Cheese Department Associate$35,459
Intermediate Level Cheese Department Associate$35,707
Senior Level Cheese Department Associate$36,279
Specialist Level Cheese Department Associate$36,393
Expert Level Cheese Department Associate$36,469
$35,459 0 yr
$35,707 < 2 yrs
$36,279 2-4 yrs
$36,393 5-8 yrs
$36,469 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Cheese Department 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 Cheese Department Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $39,662.
  • California: $39,511.
  • Massachusetts: $38,985.

Top Paying Cities for Cheese Department 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: $45,182
  • San Francisco: $44,687
  • Oakland: $43,745

What Skills Can Increase a Cheese Department Associate's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 25.56% 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.
  • Guest Service (Mentioned in 2.58% Job Postings): Guest services is a division of the hospitality industry. The goal of guest services is to provide customers with an enjoyable experience, primarily in the hotel and spa industry, sports facilities, and event venues.
  • Product Knowledge (Mentioned in 1.47% Job Postings): Product knowledge is the ability to communicate information and answer questions about a product or service. It is considered an important knowledge area for any role that puts you in front of customers, investors or the media.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 25.56%
Guest Service 2.58%
Product Knowledge 1.47%
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 Cheese Department Associate's salary.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Quality Assurance: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Preventive Maintenance: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coordination
$41,553
16%
Quality Assurance
$40,837
14%
Preventive Maintenance
$39,045
9%
Agility
$39,045
9%
Honesty and Integrity
$38,687
8%
Team Management
$38,687
8%
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How Education impacts a Cheese Department Associate's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Cheese Department Associates enter the field with a No Diploma 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 Cheese Department Associate with a No Diploma is between $30,186 and $32,601).

Cheese Department Associate Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Cheese Department Associate
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 10.0%
High School 50.0%
Associates 40.0%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Cheese Department Associate Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cheese Department 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 July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Cheese Department Associate

Salaries for a Cheese Department Associate can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $36,828 in 2023 to around $36,911 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Cheese Department Associate salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Cheese Department Associate Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$36,828
2024
$37,099
2025
$36,911
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $36,828
2024 $37,099
2025 $36,911
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Cheese Department Associate

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Cheese Department Associate

Here are companies hiring for Cheese Department Associate and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Cheese Department Associate Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Cheese Department Associate 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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