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Cafeteria Helper Jobs in Mobile, AL (NOW HIRING)

Cafeteria Helper information

See Mobile, AL salary details

$4

$12

$15

How much do cafeteria helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for cafeteria helper in Mobile, AL is $12.27, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.97 and $12.55 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 Mobile, AL?

The most popular types of Cafeteria jobs in Mobile, AL are:

What job categories do people searching Cafeteria Helper jobs in Mobile, AL look for?

The top searched job categories for Cafeteria Helper jobs in Mobile, AL are:

What cities near Mobile, AL are hiring for Cafeteria Helper jobs?

Cities near Mobile, AL with the most Cafeteria Helper job openings:

Food Service Manager - Retail Dining - Univ of South Alabama - Mobile

Aramark

Mobile, AL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Aramark rating

5.9

Company rating: 5.9 out of 10

Based on 1,275 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

397th of 500 rated business services


Job description


The Food Service Manager is a management position responsible for developing and implementing dining solutions to meet customer needs and tastes. Oversees and manages dining operations where customers order prepared foods from a menu.
Job Responsibilities
Leadership
  • Use Aramark's coaching model to engage and develop team members to their fullest potential
  • Reward and recognize employees
  • Ensure individual and team performance meets objectives and client expectations
  • Plan and lead daily team briefings
  • Ensure safety and sanitation standards in all operations

Client Relationship
  • Identify client needs and communicate operational progress

Financial Performance
  • Ensure the completion and maintenance of P&L statements
  • Deliver client and company financial targets
  • Adopt all Aramark processes and systems, understand performance metrics, data, order and inventory trends; educate teams on key levers to improve margins

Productivity
  • Bring value through efficient operations, appropriate cost controls, and profit management
  • Follow the Operational Excellence fundamentals by meeting and maintaining food and labor initiatives
  • Ensure entire team is trained and able to implement
  • Supervise team regarding production, quality and control

Compliance
  • Maintain a safe and healthy environment for clients, customers and employees
  • Follow all applicable policies, rules and regulations, including but not limited to those relating to safety, health, wage and hour

Additional Responsibilities
  • Lead the front of the house of the dining operation (Cafeteria/ Residential Dining Facility) in conjunction with the Food Service Director
  • Plans, directs, and coordinates food service activities in order to deliver a finished product to the customer

At Aramark, developing new skills and doing what it takes to get the job done make a positive impact for our employees and for our customers. In order to meet our commitments, job duties may change or new ones may be assigned without formal notice.
Qualifications
  • Requires at least 1 year of experience
  • Requires at least 1 year of experience in a management role
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience preferred
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Ability to maintain effective client and customer rapport for mutually beneficial business relationships
  • Ability to demonstrate excellent customer service using Aramark's standard service model
  • Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with other departments to a unified food service experience for all customers
  • Requires occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 50 lb.
  • Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.

Education
About Aramark
Our Mission
Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.
At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.
About Aramark
The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

What Aramark employees say

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Aramark logo

About Aramark

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food, facilities, and uniform services in 19 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Industry

Hospitality services and facilities support services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Philadelphia, PA, US