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Cafeteria Helper Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

UnityPoint Health

Food Service Worker I

Sioux City, IA

$15 - $18.25/hr

Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and ... Serve patients, guests, and cafeteria customers with excellent customer service

UnityPoint Health

Food Service Worker I

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$15 - $18.25/hr

Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and ... Serve patients, guests, and cafeteria customers with excellent customer service

UnityPoint Health

Food Service Worker I

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$15.15/hr

... retail/cafeteria service, cleaning and sanitizing dishes and equipment, stocking supplies, and ... Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and ...

UnityPoint Health

Food Service Worker I

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$15 - $18.25/hr

... retail/cafeteria service, cleaning and sanitizing dishes and equipment, stocking supplies, and ... Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and ...

UnityPoint Health

Food Service Lead

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$15.50 - $21/hr

Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and ... for patients, cafeteria, catering events, and special functions. • Perform and oversee cash ...

UnityPoint Health

Food Service Worker I

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$15.15/hr

... retail/cafeteria service, cleaning and sanitizing dishes and equipment, stocking supplies, and ... Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and ...

UnityPoint Health

Food Service Worker I

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$15 - $18.25/hr

... retail/cafeteria service, cleaning and sanitizing dishes and equipment, stocking supplies, and ... Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and ...

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All JobsCafeteria Helper JobsCafeteria Helper Jobs in Iowa

Cafeteria Helper information

See Iowa salary details

$4

$13

$17

How much do cafeteria helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for cafeteria helper in Iowa is $13.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.56 and $14.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Cafeteria Helper vs Kitchen Assistant?

AspectCafeteria HelperKitchen Assistant
CredentialsNone typically requiredBasic food safety knowledge often preferred
Work EnvironmentSchool or institutional cafeterias, serving studentsCommercial or institutional kitchens, food prep areas
Employer & IndustrySchools, colleges, or cafeteriasRestaurants, catering services, food production
Job FocusAssisting with serving, cleaning, and maintaining cafeteria areasAssisting with food prep, cleaning kitchen equipment

While both roles support food service operations, Cafeteria Helpers primarily assist with serving and maintaining cafeteria areas, often in schools, whereas Kitchen Assistants focus more on food preparation and kitchen cleanliness in various food service settings.

What is a cafeteria helper?

Cafeteria Helpers are staff members who support the daily operations of a cafeteria, usually in schools, hospitals, or corporate settings. Their duties often include preparing and serving food, cleaning dining areas, restocking supplies, and assisting with dishwashing. They work under the supervision of cafeteria managers and ensure that food safety and hygiene standards are met. Cafeteria Helpers play an important role in creating a clean, organized, and efficient dining environment for all patrons.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a cafeteria helper, and how do they collaborate with other staff members?

As a Cafeteria Helper, your daily responsibilities often include preparing and serving food, maintaining cleanliness in dining and kitchen areas, restocking supplies, and assisting with meal setup and cleanup. You'll frequently collaborate with cooks, kitchen staff, and other helpers to ensure smooth food service and adherence to health and safety standards. Teamwork and effective communication are key, as you'll coordinate tasks during busy meal periods and support one another to provide a positive dining experience for students or customers.

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

To thrive as a Cafeteria Helper, you need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of food safety, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and, in some cases, a food handler’s certification is valuable. Strong teamwork, communication, and customer service skills help you efficiently serve meals and interact positively with students and staff. These abilities ensure safe, efficient food service operations and a welcoming environment for patrons.
What are the most commonly searched types of Cafeteria jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Cafeteria jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Cafeteria Helper jobs in Iowa? For Cafeteria Helper jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Cafeteria Helper jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Cafeteria Helper jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Cafeteria Helper jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Cafeteria Helper job openings:
Cafeteria Helper jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cafeteria Helper job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $28,908 per year, or $13.9 per hour.

Cafeteria Worker - Full Time or Part Time

Tipton Community School District

Tipton, IA • On-site

$11.50 - $14.50/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

Position Type:
Food Service/Cafeteria Worker
Date Posted:
3/24/2025
Location:
Child Nutrition
Title: Food Service Aide
Position Purpose
Under the direct supervision of the building Principal, to assist in maintaining an orderly and safe atmosphere in the cafeteria, on the playground, and in other designated locations by helping and supervising students at mealtime and playtime in accordance with Board policy and established district procedures.
Essential Functions:
  • Assists in supervising students in the cafeteria during mealtime.
  • Assists in making sure that tables and surrounding areas are clean.
  • Assists students with orderly food purchases, distribution of food, disposal of food waste, and return of trays and utensils.
  • Reports to teachers, principal, nurse and/or security personnel as appropriate regarding infractions, safety concerns, injuries, or other issues involving students.

Additional Duties
  • May collect count and deposit food services program monies.
  • Performs other related tasks as assigned.

Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Effective organizational and problem solving skills.
  • Bilingual oral skills (English/Spanish) preferred.
  • Ability to maintain composure and perform responsibilities under pressure.
  • Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality about students in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and district guidelines.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards
  • Works in standard school environment and in outdoor weather.

Note: Also see the Summary of Physical, Sensory and Environmental Requirements Needed to Perform Essential Functions for this position.
Qualifications Profile
Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful performance would be qualifying. Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:
Certification/License:
  • Motor Vehicle Operator's (DMV) License or ability to provide own transportation.

Experience:
  • Successful prior experience working as a lunch or food service aide, preferably in a school district or with children.

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

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