ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Food Service Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Compass Group

FOOD SERVICE UTILITY

Banning, CA · On-site

$18/hr

Requirement : 1 year of prior food service experience required. * Fixed Pay Rate : $18.00 per hour. WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU A fun work environment, robust benefits package, great team members, and a ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsFood Service JobsFood Service Jobs in Riverside, CA

Food Service information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$9

$16

$22

How much do food service jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for food service in Riverside, CA is $16.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.05 and $18.32 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are food service jobs?

Food service jobs encompass a wide range of positions involved in preparing, serving, and managing food and beverages in settings such as restaurants, cafeterias, catering companies, and institutional kitchens. Common roles include cooks, servers, dishwashers, cashiers, and food service managers. These jobs may involve customer service, food preparation, cleaning, and ensuring food safety standards are met. Food service workers play a crucial role in delivering quality dining experiences and maintaining a clean, safe environment.

What are some common challenges faced by food service workers and how can they be managed?

Food service workers often encounter challenges such as managing high customer volumes during peak hours, maintaining food safety and hygiene standards, and effectively communicating with both kitchen staff and customers. Staying organized, keeping a positive attitude under pressure, and being proactive with time management can help manage these challenges. Many workplaces also offer ongoing training and support to help staff continuously improve their skills and adapt to fast-paced environments.

What is the difference between Food Service vs Food Preparation?

AspectFood ServiceFood Preparation
CredentialsNone required or basic food handler permitsFood safety certifications often required
Work EnvironmentRestaurants, cafeterias, cateringKitchen, food production areas
Job DutiesServing customers, taking orders, customer servicePreparing ingredients, cooking, assembling dishes
Industry UsageFront-of-house roles in food industryBack-of-house food production roles

Food Service involves direct interaction with customers, focusing on serving and customer experience, while Food Preparation centers on cooking and preparing food behind the scenes. Both roles are essential in the food industry but differ mainly in responsibilities and work environment.

What Qualifications Do You Need for Food Service Jobs?

Most food service jobs provide on-the-job training, so you don’t need many qualifications before starting work. Some employers prefer you to have a high school diploma, and you can take culinary courses to gain specific kitchen skills. To work front of house roles, you need strong interpersonal and customer service skills. If you want to work as a chef, you may have to work your way up from prep cook. All food service workers need physical stamina, as you spend most of each shift on your feet.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Food Service, and why are they important?

To thrive in Food Service, you need a solid understanding of food safety, basic food preparation, and customer service, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, kitchen equipment, and food handler certifications is typically required. Strong communication, teamwork, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications ensure effective service, customer satisfaction, and adherence to health and safety standards.
More about Food Service jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Food Service jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Food Service jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Food Service jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Food Service job openings:
Food Service jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Service job openings in Riverside, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% Internship, 48% Full Time, and 48% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $35,206 per year, or $16.9 per hour.
Food Service Assistant

Food Service Assistant

Costco Wholesale Corporation

Irvine, CA • On-site

$16 - $20.25/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago

Costco rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 1,877 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 39 rated national retailers

Job description

California applicants: Please click here to review the Costco Applicant Privacy Notice.

The jobs listed are examples of the typical kinds of positions that Costco may hire for when openings exist.
The listing does not mean that any positions are currently open or available at Costco.

Position Summary:
Prepares and sells food and drinks to customers. Pulls and stocks supplies and ingredients, cleans kitchen area and eating area. Provides prompt and courteous member service.
For additional information about pay ranges, click here.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, health benefits (medical/dental/vision/hearing aid/pharmacy/behavioral health/employee assistance), health care reimbursement account, dependent care assistance plan, short-term disability and long-term disability insurance, AD&D insurance, life insurance, 401(k), and stock purchase plan to eligible employees.Qualifications:UNAVAILABLEEducation:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: UNAVAILABLE

What Costco employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Costco logo

About Costco

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Costco is a membership warehouse club, dedicated to bringing our members the best possible prices on quality brand-name merchandise. With more than 800 locations worldwide, Costco provides a wide selection of merchandise, plus the convenience of specialty departments and exclusive member services, all designed to make your shopping experience a pleasurable one. Today, as the company evolves, it stays true to the qualities that helped attract and retain millions of loyal members around the globe: Commitment to quality. Costco warehouses carry about 4,000 SKUs (stock keeping units) compared to the 30,000 found at most supermarkets. By carefully choosing products based on quality, price, brand, and features, the company can offer the best value to members.

Industry

Retail

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Issaquah, WA, US

Year founded

1983

View All Costco Jobs

Apply