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How much do cafeteria worker jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for cafeteria worker in Virginia is $14.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.40 and $15.72 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cafeteria worker?

Cafeteria workers are employees who prepare, serve, and sometimes cook food in schools, hospitals, businesses, and other institutional dining settings. Their responsibilities often include setting up serving lines, portioning food, cleaning work areas, and ensuring that food safety standards are met. They may also handle cash registers, restock supplies, and assist with inventory. Cafeteria workers play a crucial role in providing nutritious meals to a large number of people efficiently and safely.

What are the duties of a cafeteria worker?

As a cafeteria worker, your primary responsibilities are to prepare and serve meals, typically for large groups of people. When preparing food, you adhere to any and all food preparation safety standards. When serving, you give food to customers as they walk through a line or by selling prepackaged items that can be purchased a la carte. In addition to preparing and serving food, your duties include restocking and maintaining supplies for the kitchen and cafeteria, as well as maintaining and cleaning the kitchen, equipment, and washing dishes.

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

To thrive as a Cafeteria Worker, you need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of food safety practices, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment and, in some cases, a food handler’s certification are typically required. Excellent teamwork, reliability, and strong customer service skills help you stand out in this role. These abilities ensure efficient service, safe food handling, and a positive dining experience for customers.

What are some common challenges cafeteria workers face during busy meal periods, and how can they effectively manage them?

During peak meal times, cafeteria workers often encounter challenges such as long lines, high noise levels, and the need to quickly prepare and serve food while maintaining quality and safety standards. Effective time management, clear communication with team members, and staying organized can help manage these pressures. Many cafeterias use well-defined roles and prep routines to streamline service, and teamwork is crucial for keeping service running smoothly. Adapting to fast-paced environments and being proactive in restocking supplies or cleaning work areas can also help reduce stress during busy periods.

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

AspectCafeteria WorkerFood Service Worker
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety certification often preferredHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety certification often required
Work EnvironmentSchool cafeterias, educational institutionsRestaurants, cafeterias, catering services
Employer & IndustrySchools, educational institutionsRestaurants, catering companies, food establishments
Job DutiesServing students, preparing simple meals, cleaningServing customers, preparing food, cleaning, taking orders

While both Cafeteria Workers and Food Service Workers operate in food service environments, Cafeteria Workers primarily serve in school settings focusing on student meals, whereas Food Service Workers work in various food establishments serving the general public. The required credentials and job duties overlap but differ based on the work environment and specific responsibilities.

Do school cafeteria workers get paid in the summer?

School cafeteria workers are typically paid only during the school year when they are actively working. Some districts may offer summer employment or extended programs, but generally, pay is not provided during the summer break unless the worker is involved in summer meal programs or other year-round roles. Pay schedules depend on the school district's policies and employment agreements.

How do you become a school cafeteria worker?

To become a school cafeteria worker, applicants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and may be required to pass a background check. Relevant skills include food safety knowledge and the ability to operate kitchen equipment; some positions may require food service certifications. Employment often involves part-time hours and adherence to health and safety regulations.
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Cafeteria Worker jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cafeteria Worker job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, and 24% Part Time. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $29,656 per year, or $14.3 per hour.

Cafeteria Worker

Machipongo, VA • On-site

Northampton County Public Schools
Outpatient Health Care • 501 - 1,000 employees
Learn more about Northampton County Public Schoolsexternal

$14K - $21K/mo

Part-time

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Position Type:
Food Services/Cafeteria Worker-Part Time
Date Posted:
5/13/2025
Location:
Divisionwide
Cafeteria Worker
Salary: $14,629.00-$21,420.00 (Commensurate with Experience)
Please visit the NCPS website to determine salary specifics according to the current salary scale:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1q286u82Vi-atQO1tyHRiAxqZPPzNJMkg
Primary Purpose
(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)
  1. Know and effectively communicate the Division philosophy and mission.
  2. Practice personal hygiene and proper sanitation procedures at all times.
  3. Assist in the preparation of food (batch cooking; restock items between serving periods).
  4. Serve students and staff at the cafeteria counter.
  5. Remove used dishes and assist in the cleaning of counters, tables, and furnishings in the dining area.
  6. Perform dishwashing duties of all cooking, serving, and eating utensils tools used daily.
  7. Assist in keeping all areas in the kitchen and dining area neat and clean. Maintain a clean, neat, organized and safe cafeteria/work environment.
  8. Maintain the trash and garbage collection area in a neat and sanitary fashion.
  9. Assist in the organization and storage of food, supplies, and equipment. All incoming freight must be dated and stored in the appropriate storage facility.
  10. Perform related duties as required including duties at special meal functions.
  11. Cashiering responsibilities - learn and correctly operate the Point of Sale system.
  12. Learn and execute all SNP rules and regulations for compliance and Offer vs. Serve and any new regulations implemented.
  13. Perform other duties as assigned by the Manager/Lead, Coordinator, Director of Operations, or Superintendent.

Additional Duties
Performs other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of school cafeteria.
Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.
Equipment
  • Uses standard equipment such as cash register, oven, dish washer, freezer, fryer, ice machine, etc.
  • Uses calculating devices.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Ability to design nutritious meals in accordance with federal and state guidelines
  • General knowledge of materials and methods used in preparing and serving meats, breads, vegetables and other foods on a large scale according to written and oral instructions
  • General knowledge of the use or care of food preparation equipment
  • Organizational and time management skills
  • Ability to report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required
  • Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form
  • Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and use calculators
  • Ability to problem-solve job-related issues
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding school district financial and other information
  • Skill in the use of standardized and specialized kitchen utensils and equipment preferred
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, students and school staff
  • Requires some walking, moving, climbing, carrying, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, handling, pushing, and pulling
  • Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds
  • Ability to stand for long periods of time
  • Demonstrated aptitude for successful performance of the responsibilities outlined
  • Such alternative to the above qualifications as the School Board may feel appropriate and acceptable

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards
  • Must have the ability to stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to use equipment; see and read printed material with or without vision aids; speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly; physical agility to lift and carry up to 50 pounds; to bend, to stoop, to walk and to reach overhead. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.

Qualification 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:
  • High School Diploma or GED preferred

FLSA Status: Non-exempt PART TIME POSITION

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