1

Cafeteria Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Daily our associates enjoy a free meals in our spacious associate cafeteria. Monthly we have a Town Hall meeting celebrating our associates, special delights from our Chef, and prizes. Join our ...

PT Front Desk

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$21.50/hr

Daily our associates enjoy a free meals in our spacious associate cafeteria. Monthly we have a Town Hall meeting celebrating our associates, special delights from our Chef, and prizes. Join our ...

The primary campus offers numerous associate degree and certificate programs in the arts, athletics ... Experience working in a cafeteria or snack bar. Safe Serve Certification. Other Details LICENSES ...

PT Front Desk

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$21.50/hr

Daily our associates enjoy a free meals in our spacious associate cafeteria. Monthly we have a Town Hall meeting celebrating our associates, special delights from our Chef, and prizes. Join our ...

Showing results 41-60

Cafeteria Associate information

See California salary details

$13

$16

$20

How much do cafeteria associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for cafeteria associate in California is $16.56, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.67 and $17.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Cafeteria Associate vs Food Service Worker?

AspectCafeteria AssociateFood Service Worker
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety certification often preferredHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety certification often required
Work EnvironmentSchool cafeterias, cafeterias in institutionsRestaurants, cafeterias, catering services
Employer & IndustryEducational institutions, school districtsRestaurants, catering companies, institutional food services
Job DutiesServing students, cashiering, food prep, cleaningPreparing and serving food, cleaning, customer service

Both roles involve food service in institutional settings, often requiring similar certifications and skills. However, Cafeteria Associates primarily work in school environments serving students, while Food Service Workers may work in a broader range of food service settings like restaurants and catering. The core responsibilities overlap, but the work environment and specific duties differ slightly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cafeteria associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cafeteria Associate, you need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of food safety standards, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, commercial kitchen equipment, and proper sanitation procedures is typically required. Strong teamwork, customer service, and time management abilities help individuals excel in this fast-paced environment. These skills ensure efficient service, customer satisfaction, and compliance with health regulations.

What is a cafeteria associate?

Cafeteria Associates are staff members who work in cafeterias, often in schools, hospitals, or corporate settings, to help prepare, serve, and sometimes cook food. They are responsible for ensuring that food is served safely and efficiently, maintaining cleanliness in dining and kitchen areas, handling cash registers or payment systems, and providing customer service to patrons. Their role is essential for the smooth operation of food service in large institutions, and they often work as part of a team under the supervision of a cafeteria manager or supervisor.

What are some common challenges faced by cafeteria associates, and how can they be managed effectively?

Cafeteria Associates often encounter challenges such as managing high customer volumes during peak meal times, maintaining cleanliness under tight schedules, and addressing diverse dietary needs. Effective time management and clear communication with team members can help in prioritizing tasks and ensuring smooth service. Additionally, being adaptable and following established food safety protocols are essential for delivering quality meals and a positive dining experience.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cafeteria jobs in California?

The most popular types of Cafeteria jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Cafeteria Associate jobs in California?

For Cafeteria Associate jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in California are hiring for Cafeteria Associate jobs?

Cities in California with the most Cafeteria Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Cafeteria Associate job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 58% Full Time, and 42% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $34,449 per year, or $16.6 per hour.

Cook I - Cocinero I

Contract Services Group, Inc

Irvine, CA • On-site

$23 - $24/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago


Job description

Cook I - Cocinero I

A Cook is responsible for preparing all food items based on standardized recipes for the Restaurant/Dining Outlet Cafe Room Service Employee Cafeteria and Banquets while maintaining the highest standards to produce an appealing and appetizing product. He/she is also responsible for ensuring the cleanliness sanitation and safety in the kitchen and work areas while minimizing waste and maximizing cost/production ratio.

COMPENSATION: $23.00 - $24.00

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • High School diploma or equivalent and/or experience in a hotel or a related field preferred.
  • Food Handlers Certification (must comply with State requirements)
  • Must be able to convey information and ideas clearly.
  • Must be able to evaluate and select among alternative courses of action quickly and accurately.
  • Must work well in stressful high pressure situations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Approach all encounters with guests and associates in a friendly service-oriented manner.
  • Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Aimbridge Hospitality standards as required by scheduling which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
  • Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming which include wearing the proper uniform and name tag when working (per brand standards).
  • Comply at all times with Aimbridge Hospitality standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient operations.
  • Comply with certification requirements as applicable to the position to include Food Handlers Safety etc.
  • Maintain a friendly and warm demeanor at all times.
  • Have thorough knowledge of menus and the preparation required according to hotel standards.
  • Maintain cleanliness and organization of all storage areas.
  • Complete necessary food and station preparations prior to the opening of the Restaurant/Dining Outlet/Cafe in order to ensure that guests are served promptly and efficiently during operating hours.
  • Prepare and display buffet food items according to Aimbridge Hospitality standards.
  • Maintain post on kitchen line as required during the operating hours in order to prepare food to order maintaining the highest standards of efficiency productivity and quality.
  • Prepare food for Banquets as required following specifications of Banquet Event Orders.
  • Prepare and service food for Associate Cafeteria as specified by the restaurant leadership.
  • Prepare all foods following Aimbridge Hospitality standard recipes. Preparation of specials will be under the direction of the restaurant leadership.
  • Breakdown buffets and kitchen lines storing food and equipment properly at the end of each meal period.
  • Work banquet food station as scheduled by restaurant leadership.
  • Know the location and operation of all fire extinguishing equipment.
  • Practice safe work habits at all times to avoid possible injury to self or other associates.
  • Be familiar with all hotel policies and house rules.
  • Be familiar with the hotel's emergency procedures.
  • ·Use Production Charts as specified by Aimbridge Hospitality standards.
  • Associates must at all times be attentive friendly helpful and courteous to guest managers and other associates.
  • Be able to operate and maintain the cleanliness of all kitchen equipment.
  • Maintain the "Clean As You Go" policy.
  • Assist in storage and rotation of food items according to hotel procedures.
  • Sign keys out and back in under supervision as needed.
  • Attend meetings as required by management.
  • Perform any other duties as requested by management.

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Must be able to perform physical activities such as lifting, walking, stooping, handling, and moving objects up to 50 lbs.
  • Available to work weekends and/ or holidays may be required
  • Ability to stand for long periods of time
  • The employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanica

Contract Services Group, Inc. (CSG) specializes in providing cleaning and related services to a variety of industry facilities throughout the Southwestern United States. These include hotels/resorts, multi-family housing, office, retail, universities, and city-owned municipalities. We adhere to our core values of customer focus, continuous improvement, integrity, and communication in every aspect of our business. From servicing our clients' premiere facilities to treating our employees with dignity, we believe that quality and commitment to excellence exemplify our business.

CSG takes enormous pride in our dedication to both employee and facility safety. We believe strongly in protecting the safety of employees, co-­­workers, customers, our customers’ clients, and their surrounding community.

CSG offers competitive wages and a comprehensive packet of benefits. We strive to not only be fair and honest in all of our dealings but also to set a standard that sets us apart.

Become a CSG team member!