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The Lunch Lady Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sodexo

Cook II

Lafayette, LA

$16/hr

OUR LADY OF LOURDES WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL - 26655005 Workdays/shifts : Afternoon/evenings ... More details will be provided during the interview process. Employment Type: On-call part-time Pay ...

McDonald's

Crew Team Member

Lady Lake, FL · On-site

$14/hr

Opportunity for advancement Location-452 N US HWY 27/441 Lady Lake, FL 32159 (In front of Kohl's) ... the right place. Crew member opportunities are available practically anytime: breakfast, lunch ...

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The Lunch Lady information

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How much do the lunch lady jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for the lunch lady in the United States is $20.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.50 and $23.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a lunch lady?

Lunch ladies, also known as cafeteria workers or food service workers, are staff members who prepare and serve meals to students in schools. Their responsibilities include cooking food, portioning meals, ensuring food safety, cleaning the cafeteria, and sometimes interacting with students to encourage healthy eating habits. They play an important role in providing nutritious meals and maintaining a safe, welcoming environment in school cafeterias.

What does a lunch lady do during a typical day?

A typical day for a Lunch Lady involves preparing and serving meals, maintaining food safety standards, and ensuring the cafeteria is clean and organized. The role requires frequent interaction with students, providing them with nutritious meals and sometimes accommodating dietary restrictions or special requests. Lunch Ladies also collaborate closely with other cafeteria staff and school administrators to coordinate meal schedules, inventory, and compliance with health regulations. Building positive relationships with students and staff is an important aspect of the job, contributing to a welcoming and efficient dining environment.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a lunch lady?

To thrive as a Lunch Lady, you need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of nutrition and food safety, and often a high school diploma or food handler certification. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, point-of-sale systems, and sanitation procedures is typically required. Strong teamwork, customer service orientation, and the ability to work efficiently under time constraints are valuable soft skills. These skills ensure safe, nutritious meals are served efficiently to students while maintaining a welcoming cafeteria environment.

What is the difference between The Lunch Lady vs School Cafeteria Worker?

AspectThe Lunch LadySchool Cafeteria Worker
CredentialsFood handler permits, sometimes culinary trainingFood handler permits, basic food safety training
Work EnvironmentSchool cafeterias, preparing and serving mealsSchool cafeterias, assisting with meal service and cleanup
Employer & IndustrySchool districts, educational institutionsSchool districts, educational institutions

The Lunch Lady and School Cafeteria Worker roles often overlap, with both working in school cafeterias and requiring food safety permits. The Lunch Lady typically has more responsibilities in meal preparation and menu planning, while a School Cafeteria Worker may focus more on serving and cleanup. Both roles are essential for school meal programs and share similar credentials and work environments.

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What states have the most The Lunch Lady jobs?

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The Lunch Lady jobs near you
Infographic showing various The Lunch Lady job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 29% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,100 per year, or $20.7 per hour.

Cook II

Sodexo

Lafayette, LA

$16/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago

Sodexo rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,153 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

349th of 500 rated business services

Job description

Cook II


Location: OUR LADY OF LOURDES WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL - 26655005

Workdays/shifts: Afternoon/evenings - varying days, and some weekends/holidays. More details will be provided during the interview process.

Employment Type: On-call part-time

Pay Range: $16 per hour - $16 per hour


Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater because we believe our everyday actions have a big impact. You belong in a company that allows you to act with purpose and thrive in your own way. 


What You’ll Do: As a Cook II at Sodexo, you are a team player and food waste reducer. You’ll prepare and create nutritious dishes while putting customer service at the heart of everything you do. Your passion for food and warm smile will make a positive impact and brighten the day of those you serve.


Responsibilities include:

  • Accurately and efficiently prepare, portion, cook, and present a variety of hot and/or cold food items for various meal periods, may include Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Special/Catered Events.
  • Read and follow basic recipes and/or product directions for preparing various food items
  • May prepare food and serve customers at an a la carte and/or operate a grill station
  • May support management in the daily oversight of key functions and employees during the normal course of business
  • Attends work and shows for scheduled shift on time with satisfactory regularity
  • Other duties may be assigned and can differ among accounts, depending on business necessities and client requirements.


What You Bring:

  • Successful candidates will be team-oriented, adaptable, reliable, and nurturers of a healthy/safe working environment for all.
  • 3 – 4 years of related work experience preferred


Link to full Job description 


What We Offer:

  • Flexible and supportive work environment, so you can be home for life’s important moments.
  • Access to ongoing training/development and advancement opportunities to turn your job into a career
  • Full array of benefits that support you and your family’s wellbeing, including paid time off, holidays, medical, dental, vision, tuition reimbursement, 401k, discount programs, and more. 
  • In addition to Sodexo’s standard, some locations may offer additional site-specific benefits, including free “shift” meals (and/or allowances/per diems), uniforms, safety shoes, public transportation support and/or parking. 


Link to benefits summary


Overall, Sodexo strives to offer comprehensive summaries of our benefits packages and detailed descriptions of the positions candidates are applying for. However, due to the contractual nature of our business, some job duties and employee benefits may vary based on the unit/work location. We encourage you to discuss any questions about Sodexo’s benefit offerings during the interview process. 


Who we are:

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide. 


Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Should you need assistance with the online application process, please complete this form. 



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