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Lunch Aide Jobs in Springfield, MO (NOW HIRING)

All JobsLunch Aide JobsLunch Aide Jobs in Springfield, MO

Lunch Aide information

See Springfield, MO salary details

$8

$14

$20

How much do lunch aide jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for lunch aide in Springfield, MO is $14.69, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.69 and $16.39 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a lunch aide?

Lunch Aides are school staff members responsible for supervising students during lunch periods, ensuring a safe and orderly environment in cafeterias and playgrounds. They help students follow school rules, assist with seating and food distribution, and address any issues that arise, such as spills or conflicts. Lunch Aides play a key role in maintaining a positive atmosphere and supporting students’ social and emotional well-being during lunch. Their presence helps teachers and administrators focus on academic tasks while ensuring student safety.

What are some common challenges lunch aides face, and how can they effectively handle them?

Lunch aides often encounter challenges such as managing large groups of energetic students, handling conflicts or disagreements among children, and ensuring a safe and clean environment during meal periods. Effective lunch aides use strong communication and conflict-resolution skills, stay organized, and remain attentive to students’ needs. Building rapport with students and collaborating closely with teachers and cafeteria staff also helps create a positive lunchroom experience and address issues proactively.

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

To thrive as a Lunch Aide, you need basic food handling knowledge, attention to cleanliness, and the ability to supervise children, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with food safety guidelines and cafeteria equipment is commonly required, and some roles may ask for food handler certification. Strong communication, patience, and the ability to manage groups of students are important soft skills. These skills are crucial to ensure a safe, organized, and positive mealtime environment for students.

What is the difference between Lunch Aide vs Teacher Assistant?

AspectLunch AideTeacher Assistant
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalentHigh school diploma; some roles may require additional certifications
Work EnvironmentSchool cafeterias during lunch hoursClassrooms assisting teachers and students
Employer & IndustrySchools, school districtsSchools, educational institutions
Primary ResponsibilitiesSupervising students during lunch, maintaining order, assisting with meal distributionSupporting teachers, supervising students, helping with classroom activities

While both roles work in school environments, a Lunch Aide primarily supervises students during lunch and assists in meal service, whereas a Teacher Assistant supports classroom instruction and student learning. The roles differ in responsibilities, credentials, and daily tasks, but both contribute to a positive school experience.

What job categories do people searching Lunch Aide jobs in Springfield, MO look for?

The top searched job categories for Lunch Aide jobs in Springfield, MO are:

What cities near Springfield, MO are hiring for Lunch Aide jobs?

Cities near Springfield, MO with the most Lunch Aide job openings:

Lunch Aide jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lunch Aide job openings in Springfield, MO as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 58% Full Time, 37% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $31,603 per year, or $15.2 per hour.

Paraprofessional (Aide)

Marion C. Early RV Schools

Morrisville, MO • On-site

$14 - $18.50/hr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Job Title: Paraprofessional (Aide)
Department: Instruction
Reports to: Director of Student Services
Classification: Non-exempt
Marion C. Early is a 4 day school week district located in Morrisville, MO, conveniently located between Springfield and Bolivar.
Summary
An aide provides services to students necessary for the student to access the district's facilities, programs and curriculum.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Assist in activities assigned by and under the direct control of the teacher.
  • Prepare and collect materials needed by the teacher in presenting a unit of work.
  • Work with individual students or small groups on activities that have been assigned by the teacher.
  • Assist individual students as directed by the teacher.
  • Supervise students during non-instructional times in the day, such as during the lunch period, when students are entering or leaving buses, while otherwise on school premises, and including duty before/during/after school.
  • Complete recordkeeping tasks as assigned by the teacher.
  • Assist students with disabilities according to their individualized needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning
  • Assist students with physical care including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene
  • Assist in managing the behavior of students
  • Keep the teacher informed of any special needs or problems of individual students
  • Maintain confidentiality of information about children and their families in accordance with Board policy and law
  • Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings and special events as requested by administration.
  • Follow instructions from teachers and administrators

Supervisory Duties
Supervise students during non-instructional times in the day, such as, but not limited to lunch period, when students are entering or leaving buses, while otherwise on school premises, and including duty before/during/after school.
Qualifications
  • Completed at least 60 credit hours of study at an institution of higher education; or
  • Obtained an associate's (or higher) degree
  • Paraprofessionals with a baccalaureate degree and an appropriate teaching certificate and/or training may initiate instruction and work independently.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
DESE Substitute Certificate and/or appropriate praxis completion
Skills and Abilities
Language
An individual who holds this position must have the ability to:
Read and comprehend simple written and oral instructions, short correspondence and memos
Write short correspondence and memos
Communicate one on one and in small groups
Reasoning
An individual who holds this position must have the ability to:
Understand and follow verbal and written instructions
Occasionally solve problems involving concrete variables within standardized situations
Technology
Basic computer skills including word processing and data entry.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Physical Demands
An individual who holds this position:
Is frequently required to stand, stoop, bend and kneel
May have to use therapeutic restraint
Will regularly lift students
Must have both close and distance vision
Attendance
Consistent and regular attendance is an essential function of this position.
The work conditions and environment described here are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Conditions and Environment
The individual who holds this position will regularly work in a school environment that is noisy and active. Occasionally the individual will be required to work outside in rain and snow and temperatures below freezing and above 100 degrees to perform such tasks as loading and unloading students from district transportation and supervising recess
As a political subdivision, employer, recipient of federal funds, and educational institution, the Board of Education is prohibited from, and hereby declares a policy against engaging in unlawful discrimination, including harassment creating a hostile environment, on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, or use of leave protected by the Family and Medical Leave Act, in its programs

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