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Dining Assistant Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Dining Associate

Hyattsville, MD · On-site

$13 - $16.75/hr

You will assist with meal service, dining room preparation, sanitation, and resident interaction while ensuring every resident receives attentive, respectful, and personalized service. This role ...

Dining Room Server

Mclean, VA · On-site

$13.25 - $17/hr

Responsible for set-up and cleaning of the Dining Room while maintaining or exceeding hospitality and service standards. Assist food servers with dining services to Residents as needed. ESSENTIAL ...

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Dining Assistant information

See Washington salary details

$8

$21

$46

How much do dining assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for dining assistant in Washington is $21.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $23.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a dining assistant?

Dining assistants are professionals who support the serving of food and beverages in settings like care homes, hospitals, schools, and restaurants. Their role typically includes setting up dining areas, helping with meal service, assisting individuals who need help eating, and maintaining cleanliness. They play a key part in ensuring meal times are enjoyable and efficient, especially for people who may require additional support. Dining assistants also follow hygiene and safety regulations to ensure a safe dining environment.

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

To thrive as a Dining Assistant, you need basic food service knowledge, attention to hygiene, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, food safety protocols, and sometimes a food handler certification is typically required. Excellent communication, teamwork, and a friendly demeanor help create a positive dining experience for guests. These skills ensure efficient service, safety compliance, and customer satisfaction in busy dining environments.

What are some common challenges faced by dining assistants, and how can they be effectively managed?

Dining Assistants often work in fast-paced environments where multitasking and effective communication are essential. Common challenges include managing multiple tables during busy meal times, handling special dietary needs, and ensuring customer satisfaction under time constraints. To manage these challenges effectively, it's important to stay organized, prioritize tasks, and maintain a positive attitude even during high-pressure periods. Collaborating closely with kitchen staff and fellow servers also helps ensure smooth service and a supportive team environment.

What is the difference between Dining Assistant vs Food Service Worker?

AspectDining AssistantFood Service Worker
CredentialsMay require food safety certification or trainingOften requires food handler's permit or certification
Work EnvironmentHospitals, schools, senior living facilities, cafeteriasRestaurants, cafeterias, catering services
Job DutiesAssisting diners, setting tables, serving food, cleaningPreparing, serving, and cleaning up food in various settings

Both roles involve food service and may require similar certifications, but Dining Assistants typically focus on supporting dining experiences in institutional settings, while Food Service Workers often work in restaurants or catering. The roles overlap in customer service and food handling, but their work environments and specific duties differ.

What are the most commonly searched types of Dining jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Dining jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Dining Assistant jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Dining Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Dining Assistant job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,830 per year, or $21.6 per hour.

Dining Assistant General Manager

Erickson

Springfield, VA

$57K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

Location:

Greenspring Village by Erickson Senior Living
Ready to lead with purpose and make a real difference? At Greenspring, we don't just run a community-we help people live better lives every single day. As an Assistant General Manager, you'll be at the heart of it all-supporting operations, empowering teams, and creating an environment where residents truly feel at home. If you're someone who leads with compassion, thrives in a fast-paced setting, and loves bringing people together, this is your chance to make an impact that matters.

What we offer:

  • Medical, dental and vision packages, including an annual reimbursement for qualified wellness expenses, personal health coaching and telemedicine options
  • PTO Plans, PLUS company paid volunteer hours for eligible team members, in accordance with applicable state law.
  • Onsite medical centers, providing wellness visits and sick care for all team members over 18 years of age
  • 30% discount on food and drinks at on-site dining venues, plus additional healthy choice meal options at discounted prices!
  • Education assistance, certification reimbursement and access to over 6,000 courses through our online learning library, designed to enhance your current skills and build new ones
  • Growth Opportunities - grow with the company as we open new communities and expand on our existing ones!
  • Compensation: Commensurate with experience starting at $57000 per year, plus eligibility for annual bonus

How you will make an impact:

  • Oversee the scheduling, training, hiring, coaching, and development of all employees in the restaurant, cafe, and supervisory positions.
  • Ensure that food is properly portioned, plates are attractively presented, and service meets established standards.
  • Supervise the cleanliness and organization of the restaurant, kitchen, storage areas, and loading dock.
  • Ensure that dining staff complies with safety regulations and adheres to all company policies and procedures.
  • Participate in programs and activities designed to enhance employee and resident satisfaction.

What you will need:

  • Minimum of 3 years of experience in dining room management, service, and sanitation (up to 1 year of dietetics experience may be substituted) required
  • Current Serv-Safe certification or state-specific equivalent, as required by state guidelines
  • Availability to work weekends and holidays
  • Proven ability to supervise multiple venues and manage large teams
  • Be able to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds

Please note that specific state regulations and requirements may be applicable. These regulations take precedence over the requirements outlined in the job description.

Greenspring is a beautiful 58-acre continuing care retirement community in Springfield, Virginia. We're part of a growing national network of communities managed by Erickson Senior Living, one of the country's largest and most respected providers of senior living and health care. Greenspring helps people live better lives by fulfilling our promises of a vibrant lifestyle, financial stability, and focused health and well-being services for those who live and work with us. As part of our team, you'll enjoy flexibility and work-life balance to meet your personal and professional goals, and we are committed to providing you with opportunities to learn and grow.

Erickson Senior Living, its affiliates, and managed communities are Equal Opportunity Employers and are committed to providing a workplace free of unlawful discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, veteran status, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.