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School Nutrition Service Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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School Nutrition Service information

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$11

$18

$25

How much do school nutrition service jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for school nutrition service in the United States is $18.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $20.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between School Nutrition Service vs School Food Service Worker?

AspectSchool Nutrition ServiceSchool Food Service Worker
CredentialsFood handler permits, sometimes certifications in food safetyFood handler permits, basic food safety training
Work EnvironmentSchool cafeterias, kitchens, food prep areasSchool cafeterias, food serving stations
Employer & IndustrySchool districts, educational institutionsSchool districts, educational institutions
Job FocusMeal planning, food preparation, nutrition complianceServing meals, assisting with food distribution

School Nutrition Service professionals typically handle meal planning and ensure nutritional standards, while School Food Service Workers focus on serving meals and assisting in food distribution. Both roles work within school cafeterias and require food safety certifications, but their responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

What is a school nutrition worker?

A school nutrition worker is responsible for preparing, serving, and maintaining meals in school cafeterias. They often follow food safety standards, operate kitchen equipment, and may assist with inventory and cleaning tasks. This role typically requires good communication skills and may involve working early mornings or afternoons during the school year.

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

To excel in School Nutrition Service, you need knowledge of food safety, nutrition guidelines, and meal preparation, often supported by a high school diploma and food handler certification. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and compliance with USDA school meal regulations is typically required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help ensure smooth operations and positive interactions with students and staff. These skills are critical for delivering healthy, safe, and appealing meals that support student well-being and meet regulatory standards.

What jobs pay $4000 a week without a degree?

School Nutrition Service jobs typically do not pay $4000 a week without advanced qualifications; most roles in this field offer lower wages. High-paying jobs that can reach or exceed this level without a degree often include skilled trades like commercial pilots, real estate brokers, or sales managers, which require experience, licensing, or certifications rather than a college degree.

What are some common challenges faced by School Nutrition Service staff, and how can they be addressed?

School Nutrition Service staff often encounter challenges such as managing meal preparation for large groups on tight schedules, adhering to strict nutritional and safety guidelines, and accommodating students with diverse dietary needs. Effective communication, teamwork, and time management are essential to meet these demands. Many schools provide ongoing training and encourage collaboration among staff to ensure smooth operations and a positive dining experience for students.

What is the highest paying nutrition job?

In the field of school nutrition services, senior roles such as Nutrition Program Directors or Food Service Managers typically have the highest salaries. These positions often require advanced certifications, management experience, and oversee large school districts or multiple sites. Salaries can vary based on district size, location, and level of responsibility.

What are School Nutrition Services?

School Nutrition Services are programs within schools that provide healthy and balanced meals to students during the school day. These services ensure that children receive the nutrition they need to support their learning, growth, and overall well-being. School Nutrition Services often include breakfast, lunch, and sometimes snacks, and they follow federal and state guidelines to meet specific nutritional standards. The programs may also offer free or reduced-price meals for students from low-income families to help ensure all children have access to nutritious food.

How much does a school nutrition assistant make?

In North Carolina, a school nutrition assistant typically earns around $11 to $14 per hour, depending on experience and school district. The role often requires food service skills and may involve working early mornings and afternoons in a school cafeteria setting.
More about School Nutrition Service jobs
Infographic showing various School Nutrition Service job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,441 per year, or $19 per hour.
Manager - School Nutrition

Manager - School Nutrition

Franklin County Schools

Phoenix, AZ โ€ข On-site

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

QUALIFICATIONS

  1. Not less than a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma;
  2. An initial physical examination,
  3. At least one (1) year of food service experience is recommended, and
  4. Meets health and physical requirements throughout the employment period.

SUMMARY

Manages an individual school nutrition operation in an organized and efficient manner by directing the activities of cafeteria workers, while also meeting federal, state and local requirements.

JOB GOAL

To ensure the smooth operation of the school nutrition program; the production of high quality nutritious meals; and to maintain a fiscally stable cafeteria.

DIRECT SUPERVISION Director - School Nutrition (system-wide)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  1. Plan, implement, maintain and supervise the operation of an assigned school cafeteria for preparation and service of meals and other foods using established procedures;
  2. Estimate food preparation amounts and adjust recipes, if required, for the purpose of meeting projected meal requirements and minimizing waste of food items;
  3. Evaluate prepared food for flavor, appearance and temperature for the purpose of presenting items that will be accepted by students and/or staff according to dietary guidelines;
  4. Prepare production reports; ensure that staff follows standardized recipes and proper food production procedures; ensure that sufficient quantities of food are available for customers; obtain and record amount of food items prepared, served and discarded each day;
  5. Discuss and provide input to the Director - School Nutrition in regard to the following personnel issues:
  • Initial employment of substitutes, part-time, and full-time employees;
  • Applicable training of staff;
  • Resolution to employment issue(s), including disciplinary action if, and when, needed; and
  • Recommendation for continued employment of personnel.
  1. Follow and ensure adherence to established school, local, state and federal regulations and requirements as well as sanitation, food production and nutritional guidelines. Establish and ensure adherence to procedures and standards, which are in agreement with these regulations, requirements and guidelines.
  2. Ensure procedures are followed by all personnel to ensure safe food preparation and service of all menu and ala carte items;
  3. Inspect food and/or supply deliveries for the purpose of verifying quantity, quality and specifications of orders and/or complying with mandated health requirements;
  4. Maintain the cleanliness and organization of food production and storage areas; conduct monthly physical inventory of food and supplies;
  5. Maintain equipment, storage, food preparation and serving areas in a sanitary condition for the purpose of complying with currents health standards;

Job Description: Manager - School Nutrition 2 1/29/2020

  1. Serve meals on time; provide quick, pleasant service to customers; work with principal to provide a pleasant eating environment; 1
  2. Complete and submit correct required reports; submit accurate invoices, inventories, market orders, participation records and other reports on time;
  3. Orient new employees to work center and school site processes for the purpose of providing training and information regarding site operations and activities;
  4. Participate in unit meetings, in-service training, etc. for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform job functions;
  5. Perform functions of other nutritional services positions, as needed, for the purpose of ensuring adequate staff coverage within site nutritional services operations;
  6. Reconcile transactions (e.g. meal counts, monies collected, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining account balances in compliance with established policies and procedures and make daily bank deposits;
  7. Respond to inquiries of students, staff and the public for the purpose of providing information and/or direction regarding available food items and/or food service policies and practices;
  8. Schedule work hours and assignments for school nutrition workers for the purpose of ensuring adequate coverage for daily operations;
  9. Attend manager meetings and training sessions for school nutrition employees;
  10. Supervise food service workers and other personnel as assigned (e.g. orients, trains, evaluates, etc.) for the purpose of maximizing the efficiency of the work force and meeting shift requirements; and
  11. Perform related duties as assigned by the Director - School Nutrition.