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School Cafeteria Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Diocese of Harrisburg

School Cafeteria Worker

Hanover, PA · On-site

$12.50 - $15.75/hr

Joseph School, Hanover Closing Date: 05/23/2025 Cafeteria Worker Part-Time (4-5 hours per day, 2-3 days per week) School: St. Joseph School City & State: Hanover, PA Payroll Grade: 10 FLSA Status:

Monroe County Schools

substitute cafeteria worker*

Amory, MS · On-site

$10.25 - $13/hr

TITLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA WORKER POSITION TYPE Non-Exempt PRIMARY FUNCTION Perform the different cafeteria duties in an efficient, clean and friendly manner in which students are served nutritious meals.

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How much do school cafeteria jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for school cafeteria in the United States is $14.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.50 and $15.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between School Cafeteria vs School Cook?

AspectSchool CafeteriaSchool Cook
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety certifications often preferredHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety certifications often required
Work EnvironmentSchool cafeterias, large kitchens, serving studentsSchool kitchens, food preparation areas, cooking stations
Employer & IndustrySchool districts, educational institutionsSchool districts, educational institutions
Job FocusOverseeing cafeteria operations, managing food service staff, ensuring meal servicePreparing, cooking, and serving meals to students

The main difference between a School Cafeteria and a School Cook is that the School Cafeteria typically refers to the overall food service operation within a school, including management and supervision, while the School Cook focuses on preparing and cooking meals. Both roles require similar certifications and work in the same environment, but their responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

What Are School Cafeteria Jobs?

School cafeteria jobs focus on meal preparation for students. In this role, you may serve breakfast and lunch food to hundreds of students within the span of a few hours, ensure the cleanliness of kitchen, and perform various tasks needed to keep the cafeteria functioning each day. School cafeteria workers frequently refill condiment dispensers, alert supervisors to low stock, dispose of expired products, monitor the quality of incoming inventory, and prepare special requests as needed. Schools have different products and guidelines, and you may be asked to work with many different ingredients as part of a rotating schedule of meals.

How hard is it to work in a school cafeteria?

Working in a school cafeteria as a staff member involves tasks such as preparing and serving food, cleaning, and maintaining safety standards, often requiring physical stamina and attention to hygiene. The job can be fast-paced during meal times and may involve early or late shifts, but it generally requires basic skills and adherence to health regulations.

What are school cafeteria workers?

School cafeteria workers are staff members responsible for preparing, serving, and sometimes planning nutritious meals for students and faculty in educational institutions. They ensure food safety, maintain clean kitchen and dining areas, and may also handle inventory and cash transactions. Their role is important in supporting student health and providing a positive dining experience at school.

What are some common challenges faced by school cafeteria staff, and how can they be managed effectively?

School cafeteria staff often face challenges such as managing time efficiently during busy lunch periods, adhering to strict food safety and nutritional guidelines, and accommodating students with special dietary needs. Effective communication and teamwork are essential for handling these demands, as is staying organized and proactive about food preparation. Continuous training and openness to feedback can also help staff adapt to changing menus or regulations, ensuring a positive and safe environment for students.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a School Cafeteria Worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a School Cafeteria Worker, you need a basic understanding of food safety, nutrition, and meal preparation, often supported by a high school diploma and food handler certification. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, point-of-sale systems, and inventory management tools is typically required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and effective communication with students and staff are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills ensure the safe, efficient, and pleasant delivery of nutritious meals to students, supporting their health and well-being.

How to get a job at a school cafeteria?

To get a job at a school cafeteria, applicants typically need to complete an application, pass a background check, and may require food safety training or certifications. Experience in food service and good communication skills are also beneficial, and positions often involve working during school hours and assisting with meal preparation and service.

How much does a school cafeteria worker make per month?

A school cafeteria worker typically earns between $1,200 and $2,000 per month, depending on experience, location, and hours worked. The job often requires food safety certifications and involves working during school hours in a cafeteria environment.
More about School Cafeteria jobs
What cities are hiring for School Cafeteria jobs? Cities with the most School Cafeteria job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of School Cafeteria jobs? The most popular types of School Cafeteria jobs are:
What states have the most School Cafeteria jobs? States with the most job openings for School Cafeteria jobs include:
What job categories do people searching School Cafeteria jobs look for? The top searched job categories for School Cafeteria jobs are:
School Cafeteria jobs near you
Infographic showing various School Cafeteria job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $29,912 per year, or $14.4 per hour.
School Cafeteria Assistant

School Cafeteria Assistant

Anchorage School District

Anchorage, AK • On-site

$18.34 - $19.38/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 20 days ago

Anchorage School District rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 29 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

188th of 576 rated elementary and secondary schools

Job description

Position Type:
Food Service/School Cafeteria Assistant
Date Posted:
6/26/2026
Location:
OCEAN VIEW ELEMENTARY
Date Available:
08/19/2026
Bargaining Unit: Food Service
Work Year: 9 months per year
Work Day: 5 hours per day
FTE: .6250, Part Time
Salary: K-1, $18.34 to $19.38 per hour, DOE
Job Summary
The School Cafeteria Assistant assists in preparing and serving meals and supports all aspects daily kitchen duties, working independently in a fast-paced work environment within limited timelines. The position has a retirement association with the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).
Job Requirements
The following are required:
  1. A high school diploma or equivalent. Two years of related work experience may be considered in lieu of the education requirement.
  2. Must be proficient in basic math such as addition, subtraction, and multiplication.
  3. Must attend the four-hour ASD Serving It Safe food safety course and pass the associated examination within 21 calendar days from date of hire into the position.

The following are preferred:
  1. Experience using a touch screen point of sale system and knowledge of cashiering practices and procedures.
  2. Previous food service experience.

Essential Job Functions
  1. Assists in food preparation, cooking, heating, filling of meal orders for cashiers, and demonstrates through work efforts an understanding of sanitation and food service practices and procedures.
  2. Works independently in a fast-paced work environment within limited timelines.
  3. Sorts and stores food deliveries and reports supply shortages.
  4. Assists in basic inventory needs and record keeping assignments, preparing simple reports and recording data as needed.
  5. Operates point of sale system, makes change, and counts daily receivables.
  6. Wipes counters, cleans and sanitizes equipment, refrigerators, and freezers, sweeps and mops floors, washes daily laundry, and performs other routine cleaning/sanitation tasks.
  7. Transfers trays, baskets, containers, utensils, and food items from one location to another as necessary.
  8. Establishes and maintains positive and effective working relationships with a broad diversity of students, staff, other Anchorage School District personnel, and the public.

Physical /Mental Demands
The physical demands of this job require frequent standing, walking, sitting, speaking and hearing. Specific visual abilities are also required. The employee is regularly required to reach with his/her hands and arms and occasionally lift items weighing less than 40 lbs. Additionally, the employee must be able to understand vague and implicit instructions, be able to readily recall facts and details, handle conflict and make effective decisions under pressure. The employee must have the ability to effectively manage the stress of working with students, parents, and other employees representing diverse cultures, personalities, and work styles in a dynamic work environment.
The Anchorage School District is committed to providing reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all individuals with a qualified physical or mental disability.
Work Environment
Work is performed in a professional environment with a wide variety of individuals having differing functions, personalities and abilities, including working with diverse groups of people in a variety of different settings.
While performing the duties of this job the employee may be regularly exposed to a video display. The employee may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Additional Job Information
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job related duties as requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.
Anchorage School District (ASD) employees must possess the ability to read and write in English. This also includes the ability to communicate in English with school staff, co-workers, and the public; as well as have the ability to comprehend and carry out oral and written directions and understand and follow English instructions and written documents.
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a satisfactory criminal background check. For certificated positions, this is in addition to the background check conducted through the certification process with the Alaska State Department of Education and Early Development (DEED).
This position may be required to work in ASD facilities on the military installations (JBER). Please visit the government REAL ID website for additional information.
The Anchorage School District is an equal employment opportunity employer.

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