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Cafeteria Helper Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Sodexo

Cafeteria Worker

Johnson City, TN · On-site

$12 - $14/hr

As a Cafeteria Worker at Sodexo, you are a pair of helping hands and a good mood motivator. In this role, you will prepare and serve a variety of vibrant menus and ensure all working areas are kept ...

Sodexo

Cafeteria Worker

Johnson City, TN

$12 - $14/hr

As a Cafeteria Worker at Sodexo, you are a pair of helping hands and a good mood motivator. In this role, you will prepare and serve a variety of vibrant menus and ensure all working areas are kept ...

Sodexo

Cafeteria Worker

Johnson City, TN · On-site

$12 - $14/hr

As a Cafeteria Worker at Sodexo, you are a pair of helping hands and a good mood motivator. In this role, you will prepare and serve a variety of vibrant menusand ensure all working areas are kept ...

Sodexo

Cafeteria Worker

Johnson City, TN

$12 - $14/hr

As a Cafeteria Worker at Sodexo, you are a pair of helping hands and a good mood motivator. In this role, you will prepare and serve a variety of vibrant menus and ensure all working areas are kept ...

McMinn County School District

Substitute Cook

Athens, TN

$12.50 - $15.25/hr

Other 8. Handle and record cashier functions accurately as required by position assigned by cafeteria manager 9. Help record food requisitions and order necessary supplies. 10. Maintain daily food ...

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All JobsCafeteria Helper JobsCafeteria Helper Jobs in Tennessee

Cafeteria Helper information

See Tennessee salary details

$4

$13

$16

How much do cafeteria helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for cafeteria helper in Tennessee is $13.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.08 and $13.75 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 Tennessee? The most popular types of Cafeteria jobs in Tennessee are:
What are popular job titles related to Cafeteria Helper jobs in Tennessee? For Cafeteria Helper jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Cafeteria Helper jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Cafeteria Helper jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Cafeteria Helper jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Cafeteria Helper job openings:
Cafeteria Helper jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cafeteria Helper job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $27,934 per year, or $13.4 per hour.

Cafeteria Assistant

Murfreesboro City Schools

Murfreesboro, TN

$13 - $16.25/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Murfreesboro City Schools

Cafeteria Assistant

Department of Nutrition

Revised on 07/02/2018


Credentials: High School diploma or GED. All applicants will work first as a substitute employee before being hired as a permanent cafeteria employee.

Other Qualifications: The position of Cafeteria Assistant requires an individual who is neat in appearance, clean in work habits and follow all safety rules; be confidential; work cooperatively with others; be courteous; have a positive attitude toward work; and demonstrate a happy, helpful, attitude toward students. The employee is subject to a post offer physical examination with a written statement from the physical showing a satisfactory health record and stating the employee is free of any contagious or communicable disease in such form as might endanger the health of school children. The employee must also pass a PAT (physical abilities test) prior to being hired. All employees hired after January 1, 2000 are required (post offer and prior to commencement of the employment duties) to supply fingerprint samples which are submitted to a criminal history records check conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. All hiring decisions are contingent upon satisfactory criminal background check results.

Physical Demands: The employee must have sufficient strength and ability to independently and repeatedly lift objects weighing up to fifty (50) pounds and move objects weighing up to fifty (50) pounds; must be able to lift objects weighing more than 5 pounds with assistance. This employee must have sufficient strength/ability to independently push cart weighing up to fifteen (15) pounds at a distance of fifty (50) feet. This work involves medium-heavy lifting of boxes, reaching, pushing, pulling, stooping, climbing, maneuvering in confined spaces and prolonged standing and walking; work involves exposure to extreme temperatures, chemicals and smells commonly associated with cooking, cleaning and school in general.

Essential Job Functions:

  1. Assists in all phases of food preparation, service, proper food storage, and cleaning so as to help ensure efficiency in these areas and all follow up operations work in the cafeteria according to established procedures and methods.
  2. Performs required standing and walking as shift allows.
  3. Follows safety and sanitation rules.
  4. Follows all SOP's.
  5. Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.
  6. Employee must be willing to assist in other areas of cafeteria, including but not limited to, cashier.
  7. Must be willing to get certified in School Nutrition and attend continuing education classes.
  8. Ability to understand and carry out verbal and written instruction.
  9. Ability to understand and prepare recipes.
  10. Must have good mathematical skills.

Staff Relationship: Reports directly to the cafeteria manager.

Terms of Employment: Part-time: Hourly wage local scale without benefits; work only on days the cafeteria serves students plus three days per year for staff training/pre-open set up/ close up. Non-Exempt


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