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Cafeteria Helper Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Compass Group

Cafeteria Cook

Louisville, KY · On-site

$17/hr

Cafeteria Cook Pay Range : $17.00 to $17.00 We Make Applying Easy! Want to apply to this job via ... Text STOP to opt out or HELP for help. Terms and conditions: Diversity of thought and inclusion for ...

Compass Group

Cafeteria Cook

Louisville, KY · On-site

$17/hr

Cafeteria Cook Pay Range : $17.00 to $17.00 We Make Applying Easy! Want to apply to this job via ... Text STOP to opt out or HELP for help. Terms and conditions: Diversity of thought and inclusion for ...

Compass Group

CAFETERIA SUPERVISOR

Lexington, KY · On-site

$23/hr

* We are hiring immediately for a full time CAFETERIA SUPERVISOR position. * Location : University of ... in helping one another achieve more together by realizing our unlimited potential. Job Summary ...

Compass Group

Cafeteria Cook

Louisville, KY · On-site

$17/hr

Cafeteria Cook Pay Range : $17.00 to $17.00 We Make Applying Easy! Want to apply to this job via ... Text STOP to opt out or HELP for help. Terms and conditions: Diversity of thought and inclusion for ...

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Cafeteria Helper information

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$4

$12

$16

How much do cafeteria helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for cafeteria helper in Kentucky is $12.85, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.55 and $13.17 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

How do you become a school cafeteria helper?

To become a school cafeteria helper, applicants typically need to be at least 16 years old, complete an application, and pass a background check. Some schools may require or prefer previous experience with food service or working with children, and training on food safety and sanitation is often provided on the job.

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

The most popular types of Cafeteria jobs in Kentucky are:

What are popular job titles related to Cafeteria Helper jobs in Kentucky?

For Cafeteria Helper jobs in Kentucky, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cafeteria Helper jobs in Kentucky look for?

The top searched job categories for Cafeteria Helper jobs in Kentucky are:

What cities in Kentucky are hiring for Cafeteria Helper jobs?

Cities in Kentucky with the most Cafeteria Helper job openings:

Cafeteria Helper jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cafeteria Helper job openings in Kentucky as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $26,731 per year, or $12.9 per hour.

Kitchen and Cafeteria Helper

Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc.

Hazard, KY

Part-time

Re-posted 23 days ago

Appalachian Regional Healthcare rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 74 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

605th of 889 rated healthcare providers

Job description

The Kitchen & Cafeteria Worker is responsible for performing duties relevant to operating the dishwashing machine, transporting dishes, food item preparation, patient meal service, cafeteria customer service, and cleaning of the preparation and service area.


  • Assists in all phases of food preparation as directed while maintaining a clean and safe kitchen and cafeteria area.
  • Assists in preparing, servicing and transporting patient trays, snacks or supplements. Retrieve patient trays, washing and storing as necessary.
  • Arranges and stocks food items on cafeteria counter and serves cafeteria customers. Checks temperature of food on cafeteria steam tables. Refills or restocks condiments and other items as needed.
  • Takes temperature for refrigerators, freezers and temperatures of food prior to meal served.
  • Cleans preparation area and equipment.
  • Operates cash register, collects payments from customers in cafeteria and records cash after each snack and meal period.
  • Assists in preparation, serving and clean-up of catered meals.
  • Assists with vending machines operation as needed.
  • Performs all necessary operations of cleaning dishes and other meal serving utensils including scraping, racking, hand-washing of dishes, trays, and silverware.
  • Assists on trayveyor line during patient tray service period.
  • May assist in storing staple goods or other supplies.
  • Disposes all garbage accumulated during assigned shift and cleans garbage cans and area.
  • May clean pots and pans as assigned.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education

• High School Diploma preferred.

Experience

• Up to one (1) year of experience preferred.

Required Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Adept at problem solving and decision making skills.

What Appalachian Regional Healthcare employees say

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