What are the main factors that influence a School Cafeteria Worker's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for School Cafeteria Worker?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for School Cafeteria Worker roles, with salaries approximately 18% above the market median.

How does experience change A School Cafeteria Worker's salary?

A School Cafeteria Worker's salary grows with experience: a School Cafeteria Worker (0-1 years)earns $35,109, a Food Services Team Lead (1-2 years)earns $45,689, a Food Services Supervisor (3-5 years)earns $73,984, a Food Services Manager (5+ years)earns $95,310,

What are the highest paying states for a School Cafeteria Worker?

School Cafeteria Worker salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for School Cafeteria Worker roles are District of Columbia $36,040, California $35,904, Massachusetts $35,425. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of School Cafeteria Worker roles make?

Salaries for School Cafeteria Worker level roles vary by specialization: School Cafeteria Manager: $87,558; School Social Worker: $64,698; Social Worker an International School in: $62,166; High School Social Worker: $61,779; School Based Social Worker: $59,845.

School Cafeteria Worker Salary in Washington

How much does a School Cafeteria Worker make in Washington?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a School Cafeteria Worker in Washington is $35,295 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.

However, a School Cafeteria Worker's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $40,128
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $32,510 to $37,825
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $29,975

10% $29,975

50% (Median) $35,295

90% $40,128

School Cafeteria Worker Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$37,825	$3,152	$727	$18
Average	$35,295	$2,941	$679	$17
25th Percentile	$32,510	$2,709	$625	$16

Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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Key Factors That Influence School Cafeteria Worker Salaries

A School Cafeteria Worker's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do School Cafeteria Worker 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 School Cafeteria Workers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $36,040.
California: $35,904.
Massachusetts: $35,425.

District of Columbia $36,040 California $35,904 Massachusetts $35,425 Washington $35,295 New Jersey $35,282 Alaska $35,236 Connecticut $34,787 New York $34,605

Hawaii $34,022 Rhode Island $33,749 Maryland $33,563 Minnesota $33,309 Colorado $33,212 Illinois $33,179 Oregon $33,056 Delaware $32,964

New Hampshire $32,907 Virginia $32,779 Pennsylvania $32,405 Nevada $32,216 North Dakota $32,154 Michigan $32,056 Wisconsin $32,020 Vermont $31,949

Texas $31,750 Maine $31,737 Arizona $31,718 Ohio $31,695 Georgia $31,395 Indiana $31,246 Wyoming $31,216 Utah $31,171

Iowa $31,151 Kansas $30,995 Louisiana $30,949 North Carolina $30,933 Missouri $30,927 Florida $30,800 Montana $30,731 Nebraska $30,666

Kentucky $30,630 South Carolina $30,500 Tennessee $30,419 Idaho $30,386 New Mexico $30,149 Oklahoma $30,097 Alabama $29,905 South Dakota $29,582

Arkansas $29,407 West Virginia $29,312 Mississippi $29,029

Top Paying Cities for School Cafeteria Workers

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:

Auburn: $35,252
Federal Way: $35,236
Bellevue: $35,961

Auburn, WA $35,252

Federal Way, WA $35,236

Bellevue, WA $35,961

Black Diamond, WA $35,063

Bothell, WA $35,790

Burton, WA $35,301

Carnation, WA $35,262

Duvall, WA $35,378

Edmonds, WA $35,678

Enumclaw, WA $34,551

Fall City, WA $35,419

Hobart, WA $35,283

Issaquah, WA $35,542

Kenmore, WA $35,865

Kent, WA $35,283

Kirkland, WA $35,938

Lynnwood, WA $35,605

Maple Valley, WA $35,252

Medina, WA $35,971

Mercer Island, WA $35,958

Mountlake Terrace, WA $35,701

North Bend, WA $34,909

Pacific, WA $35,232

Preston, WA $35,474

Ravensdale, WA $34,970

Redmond, WA $35,886

Redondo, WA $35,276

Renton, WA $35,663

Rollingbay, WA $35,535

Seahurst, WA $35,729

Snoqualmie, WA $35,174

Snoqualmie Pass, WA $34,135

Vashon, WA $35,327

Woodinville, WA $35,669

Sammamish, WA $35,763

Mill Creek, WA $35,449

Seattle, WA $35,982

Bainbridge Island, WA $35,586

Everett, WA $35,484

Acme, WA $33,643

Anacortes, WA $33,960

Blakely Island, WA $33,727

Arlington, WA $34,986

Baring, WA $34,713

Bellingham, WA $33,599

Blaine, WA $33,529

Bow, WA $33,678

Burlington, WA $33,866

Clearlake, WA $34,056

Clinton, WA $35,381

Concrete, WA $33,694

Conway, WA $34,578

Coupeville, WA $34,749

Custer, WA $33,568

Darrington, WA $33,709

Deer Harbor, WA $33,747

Deming, WA $33,632

Eastsound, WA $33,616

Everson, WA $33,575

Ferndale, WA $33,584

Freeland, WA $35,190

Friday Harbor, WA $33,810

Gold Bar, WA $34,787

Granite Falls, WA $34,939

Greenbank, WA $35,080

Hamilton, WA $33,983

Index, WA $34,266

La Conner, WA $34,131

Lake Stevens, WA $35,479

North Lakewood, WA $35,249

Langley, WA $35,300

Lopez Island, WA $33,883

Lummi Island, WA $33,603

Lyman, WA $33,970

Lynden, WA $33,570

Maple Falls, WA $33,558

Marblemount, WA $33,628

Marysville, WA $35,485

Monroe, WA $35,193

Mount Vernon, WA $34,193

Mukilteo, WA $35,468

Nooksack, WA $33,570

Oak Harbor, WA $34,364

Olga, WA $33,660

Orcas, WA $33,721

Point Roberts, WA $33,459

Camano Island, WA $34,917

Rockport, WA $33,177

Sedro Woolley, WA $33,884

Shaw Island, WA $33,779

Silvana, WA $35,190

Skykomish, WA $34,101

Snohomish, WA $35,359

Stanwood, WA $35,059

Startup, WA $34,982

Sultan, WA $35,009

Sumas, WA $33,558

Waldron, WA $33,616

Anderson Island, WA $34,968

Ashford, WA $34,312

Beaver, WA $33,372

Bremerton, WA $35,324

Silverdale, WA $35,265

Brinnon, WA $34,888

Buckley, WA $35,010

Burley, WA $35,205

Carbonado, WA $34,707

Carlsborg, WA $34,088

Chimacum, WA $34,879

Clallam Bay, WA $33,377

Dupont, WA $34,902

Eatonville, WA $34,615

Gig Harbor, WA $35,088

Elbe, WA $34,416

Forks, WA $33,432

Fox Island, WA $35,182

Glenoma, WA $33,922

Graham, WA $35,000

Port Hadlock, WA $34,869

Hansville, WA $35,192

Indianola, WA $35,667

Joyce, WA $33,505

Kapowsin, WA $34,875

Keyport, WA $35,382

Kingston, WA $35,453

La Grande, WA $34,567

Lakebay, WA $35,003

La Push, WA $33,496

Longbranch, WA $34,856

Sumner, WA $35,163

Manchester, WA $35,609

Milton, WA $35,217

Mineral, WA $34,067

Morton, WA $33,962

Neah Bay, WA $33,416

Nordland, WA $34,948

Olalla, WA $35,246

Orting, WA $34,955

Packwood, WA $33,312

Port Angeles, WA $34,087

Port Gamble, WA $35,309

Port Ludlow, WA $35,110

Port Orchard, WA $35,346

Port Townsend, WA $34,731

Poulsbo, WA $35,395

Puyallup, WA $35,215

Quilcene, WA $34,964

Randle, WA $33,590

Retsil, WA $35,330

Seabeck, WA $35,180

Sekiu, WA $33,378

Sequim, WA $34,347

South Colby, WA $35,453

South Prairie, WA $35,017

Southworth, WA $35,599

Spanaway, WA $35,081

Steilacoom, WA $35,079

Bonney Lake, WA $35,116

Suquamish, WA $35,555

Tracyton, WA $35,339

Vaughn, WA $35,000

Wauna, WA $35,152

Wilkeson, WA $34,896

Longmire, WA $33,944

Paradise Inn, WA $33,917

Tacoma, WA $35,207

Camp Murray, WA $35,112

Mcchord Afb, WA $35,205

Lakewood, WA $35,201

University Place, WA $35,207

Olympia, WA $34,514

Lacey, WA $34,592

Tumwater, WA $34,528

Aberdeen, WA $33,965

Adna, WA $34,086

Allyn, WA $34,961

Amanda Park, WA $33,587

Bay Center, WA $33,619

Belfair, WA $35,032

Bucoda, WA $34,516

Centralia, WA $34,462

Chehalis, WA $34,299

Cinebar, WA $34,247

Copalis Beach, WA $33,658

Copalis Crossing, WA $33,599

Cosmopolis, WA $34,155

Curtis, WA $33,835

Doty, WA $34,182

East Olympia, WA $34,575

Elma, WA $34,484

Ethel, WA $33,989

Galvin, WA $34,442

Grapeview, WA $34,818

Grayland, WA $33,645

Hoodsport, WA $34,709

Hoquiam, WA $33,859

Humptulips, WA $33,718

Lebam, WA $33,806

Lilliwaup, WA $34,881

Littlerock, WA $34,515

Mccleary, WA $34,523

Mckenna, WA $34,673

Malone, WA $34,480

Matlock, WA $34,495

Menlo, WA $33,824

Moclips, WA $33,603

Montesano, WA $34,355

Mossyrock, WA $33,723

Napavine, WA $34,210

Neilton, WA $33,688

Oakville, WA $34,447

Ocean Shores, WA $33,703

Onalaska, WA $34,251

Pacific Beach, WA $33,605

Pe Ell, WA $33,907

Quinault, WA $33,779

Rainier, WA $34,574

Raymond, WA $33,865

Rochester, WA $34,459

Roy, WA $34,850

Ryderwood, WA $33,677

Salkum, WA $33,966

Satsop, WA $34,417

Shelton, WA $34,631

Silver Creek, WA $33,955

South Bend, WA $33,604

Taholah, WA $33,565

Tahuya, WA $34,824

Tenino, WA $34,541

Tokeland, WA $33,678

Toledo, WA $33,822

Union, WA $34,727

Vader, WA $33,797

Westport, WA $33,715

Winlock, WA $33,951

Yelm, WA $34,555

Amboy, WA $33,837

Appleton, WA $33,196

Ariel, WA $33,748

Battle Ground, WA $33,933

Bingen, WA $33,483

Brush Prairie, WA $33,976

Camas, WA $33,973

Carrolls, WA $33,693

Carson, WA $33,740

Castle Rock, WA $33,721

Cathlamet, WA $33,606

Centerville, WA $33,080

Chinook, WA $33,348

Cougar, WA $33,597

Dallesport, WA $33,150

Glenwood, WA $33,173

Goldendale, WA $33,069

Grays River, WA $33,568

Heisson, WA $33,914

Husum, WA $33,406

Ilwaco, WA $33,367

Kalama, WA $33,708

Kelso, WA $33,767

Klickitat, WA $33,150

La Center, WA $33,905

Long Beach, WA $33,432

Longview, WA $33,748

Lyle, WA $33,166

Nahcotta, WA $33,427

Naselle, WA $33,462

North Bonneville, WA $33,702

Ocean Park, WA $33,607

Oysterville, WA $33,502

Ridgefield, WA $33,942

Rosburg, WA $33,421

Seaview, WA $33,416

Silverlake, WA $33,734

Skamokawa, WA $33,512

Stevenson, WA $33,689

Toutle, WA $33,645

Trout Lake, WA $33,333

Underwood, WA $33,464

Vancouver, WA $34,073

Wahkiacus, WA $33,110

Washougal, WA $33,903

White Salmon, WA $33,370

Wishram, WA $33,071

Woodland, WA $33,825

Yacolt, WA $33,856

Wenatchee, WA $33,090

East Wenatchee, WA $33,046

Ardenvoir, WA $33,080

Brewster, WA $32,982

Bridgeport, WA $32,942

Carlton, WA $32,992

Cashmere, WA $33,082

Chelan, WA $33,025

Chelan Falls, WA $33,042

Conconully, WA $32,964

Dryden, WA $33,132

Entiat, WA $33,039

Ephrata, WA $32,918

George, WA $33,093

Leavenworth, WA $33,292

Loomis, WA $32,965

Malaga, WA $33,096

Malott, WA $32,975

Mansfield, WA $32,835

Manson, WA $33,033

Marlin, WA $32,769

Mazama, WA $32,999

Methow, WA $32,956

Monitor, WA $33,073

Moses Lake, WA $32,927

Okanogan, WA $32,943

Omak, WA $32,973

Orondo, WA $32,992

Oroville, WA $33,013

Palisades, WA $32,894

Pateros, WA $32,969

Peshastin, WA $33,059

Quincy, WA $33,036

Riverside, WA $32,965

Rock Island, WA $32,976

Soap Lake, WA $32,868

Stehekin, WA $33,007

Stratford, WA $32,786

Tonasket, WA $32,983

Twisp, WA $33,014

Warden, WA $33,052

Waterville, WA $32,901

Wauconda, WA $32,944

Wilson Creek, WA $32,753

Winthrop, WA $33,025

Yakima, WA $32,733

Brownstown, WA $32,733

Buena, WA $32,830

Cle Elum, WA $33,279

Cowiche, WA $32,733

Easton, WA $33,806

Ellensburg, WA $32,767

Naches, WA $33,265

Grandview, WA $33,611

Granger, WA $33,230

Harrah, WA $32,733

Kittitas, WA $32,762

Mabton, WA $33,274

Moxee, WA $32,839

Outlook, WA $33,229

Parker, WA $32,743

Ronald, WA $33,455

Roslyn, WA $33,415

Selah, WA $32,733

South Cle Elum, WA $33,430

Sunnyside, WA $33,752

Thorp, WA $32,877

Tieton, WA $32,733

Toppenish, WA $33,154

Vantage, WA $33,077

Wapato, WA $32,757

White Swan, WA $32,815

Zillah, WA $32,878

Airway Heights, WA $33,189

Chattaroy, WA $33,148

Cheney, WA $33,144

Colbert, WA $33,175

Deer Park, WA $33,140

Edwall, WA $33,102

Elk, WA $33,078

Fairchild Air Force Base, WA $33,184

Fairfield, WA $33,111

Ford, WA $33,117

Four Lakes, WA $33,185

Greenacres, WA $33,164

Lamont, WA $33,036

Latah, WA $33,060

Liberty Lake, WA $33,147

Marshall, WA $33,189

Mead, WA $33,150

Medical Lake, WA $33,169

Mica, WA $33,165

Newman Lake, WA $33,128

Nine Mile Falls, WA $33,171

Otis Orchards, WA $33,160

Reardan, WA $33,142

Rockford, WA $33,137

Spangle, WA $33,150

Sprague, WA $33,043

Tekoa, WA $33,010

Tumtum, WA $33,130

Valleyford, WA $33,176

Veradale, WA $33,183

Waverly, WA $33,100

Wellpinit, WA $33,077

Addy, WA $33,031

Albion, WA $32,988

Almira, WA $32,780

Belmont, WA $32,957

Benge, WA $32,935

Boyds, WA $32,950

Chewelah, WA $33,058

Clayton, WA $33,119

Colfax, WA $32,984

Colton, WA $32,768

Colville, WA $32,990

Coulee City, WA $32,803

Coulee Dam, WA $32,900

Creston, WA $32,903

Curlew, WA $32,966

Cusick, WA $32,853

Danville, WA $32,957

Davenport, WA $33,036

Electric City, WA $32,891

Elmer City, WA $32,977

Endicott, WA $33,002

Evans, WA $32,992

Farmington, WA $32,913

Fruitland, WA $33,024

Garfield, WA $32,941

Gifford, WA $32,998

Grand Coulee, WA $32,870

Harrington, WA $33,003

Hartline, WA $32,756

Hay, WA $32,901

Hunters, WA $33,004

Inchelium, WA $32,925

Ione, WA $32,758

Keller, WA $32,861

Kettle Falls, WA $32,972

Lacrosse, WA $32,935

Lamona, WA $32,893

Laurier, WA $32,948

Lincoln, WA $33,000

Loon Lake, WA $33,090

Malden, WA $33,092

Malo, WA $32,987

Marcus, WA $33,092

Metaline, WA $32,904

Metaline Falls, WA $32,714

Mohler, WA $32,977

Nespelem, WA $32,903

Newport, WA $32,956

Northport, WA $32,994

Oakesdale, WA $33,022

Odessa, WA $32,827

Orient, WA $32,940

Palouse, WA $32,887

Pullman, WA $32,867

Republic, WA $32,951

Rice, WA $32,983

Ritzville, WA $32,963

Rosalia, WA $33,102

Saint John, WA $33,032

Springdale, WA $33,076

Steptoe, WA $33,186

Thornton, WA $33,039

Uniontown, WA $32,737

Usk, WA $32,923

Valley, WA $33,062

Wilbur, WA $32,879

Spokane, WA $33,189

Pasco, WA $34,192

Benton City, WA $34,186

Beverly, WA $33,180

Bickleton, WA $33,090

Burbank, WA $34,313

College Place, WA $33,612

Connell, WA $33,508

Dayton, WA $32,954

Dixie, WA $33,265

Eltopia, WA $34,003

Hooper, WA $32,864

Kahlotus, WA $33,140

Kennewick, WA $34,514

Lind, WA $32,967

Mesa, WA $33,905

Othello, WA $33,345

Paterson, WA $33,792

Plymouth, WA $34,343

Pomeroy, WA $32,951

Prescott, WA $33,458

Mattawa, WA $33,428

Prosser, WA $33,853

Richland, WA $34,312

West Richland, WA $34,312

Roosevelt, WA $32,929

Royal City, WA $33,146

Starbuck, WA $33,046

Touchet, WA $33,965

Waitsburg, WA $33,167

Walla Walla, WA $33,465

Wallula, WA $34,230

Washtucna, WA $32,912

Anatone, WA $32,678

Asotin, WA $32,776

Clarkston, WA $32,852

School Cafeteria Worker Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industries for a School Cafeteria Worker

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking	$41,648	$20.0	18%
Pharmaceuticals	$40,589	$20.0	15%
Biotechnology	$39,530	$19.0	12%
Energy & Utilities	$38,825	$19.0	10%
Aerospace & Defense	$38,119	$18.0	8%

School Cafeteria Worker Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a School Cafeteria Worker'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.

$32,510

Average $35,295/year

$37,825

$2,709

Average $2,941/month

$3,152

$625

Average $679/week

$727

$16

Average $17/hour

$18

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$37,825	$3,152	$727	$18
Average	$35,295	$2,941	$679	$17
25th Percentile	$32,510	$2,709	$625	$16

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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School Cafeteria Worker Salary in Washington

How much does a School Cafeteria Worker make in Washington?

Key Factors That Influence School Cafeteria Worker Salaries

How Do School Cafeteria Worker Salaries Vary from State to State?

Top Paying Cities for School Cafeteria Workers

School Cafeteria Worker Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

The top paying industries for a School Cafeteria Worker

School Cafeteria Worker Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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School Cafeteria Worker Salary in Washington

How much does a School Cafeteria Worker make in Washington?

Key Factors That Influence School Cafeteria Worker Salaries

How Do School Cafeteria Worker Salaries Vary from State to State?

Top Paying Cities for School Cafeteria Workers

School Cafeteria Worker Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

The top paying industries for a School Cafeteria Worker

School Cafeteria Worker Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Salaries of Jobs related to School Cafeteria Worker

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