Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary 2025: $35,840 median, 6.4% growth
The median annual salary for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other is $35,840, with typical earnings between $25,470 and $47,550. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates mean hourly wages around $17.70. This occupation covers a mix of roles that don't fit neatly into standard food prep or serving categories—like counter attendants, cafeteria workers, and food service supervisors in non-restaurant settings.
How much Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other earn
The BLS reports a national median salary of $35,840, meaning half earn more and half earn less. The mean (average) annual wage is slightly higher at $36,810, which works out to about $17 per hour. The bottom 10% earn $25,470 or less, while the top 10% make $47,550 or more. High earners often work in high-volume or specialized food service operations, such as large cafeterias, institutional kitchens, or upscale hotels.
Pay by state
Location matters. Nebraska tops the list with an average wage of $46,170, followed by Hawaii ($43,540), Oregon ($39,080), Illinois ($38,880), and D.C. ($38,580). At the other end, the lowest average is in West Virginia ($21,640), then Louisiana ($21,820), and South Carolina ($22,230). The gap between the highest and lowest states is nearly $25,000—more than the typical salary range for the bottom 10% nationally.
How to become Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other
Most workers enter this occupation with a high school diploma or equivalent and receive short-term on-the-job training. No formal postsecondary education is required, but employers often look for basic math, communication, and customer service skills. Some roles, like those in school or hospital cafeterias, may require a food handler’s permit or ServSafe certification—check your state’s health department requirements. Advancement typically comes from experience, leading to supervisory or management positions. A typical path: start as a counter attendant or cafeteria worker, learn food prep and service routines, then move into lead worker or kitchen manager roles.
- High school diploma or equivalent (common entry requirement).
- Short-term on-the-job training (usually a few weeks).
- Optional but helpful: food safety certification (e.g., ServSafe).
- Advancement possible through experience into supervisory roles.
Job outlook
Employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, which BLS classifies as faster than average for all occupations. That translates to about 14,600 job openings per year, mostly due to workers leaving the occupation or retiring. The overall workforce is currently 84,630. Demand will be driven by continued need for food service in schools, hospitals, cafeterias, and other institutional settings, though automation in some prep tasks may limit growth in fast-casual restaurants.
Frequently asked questions
What does a Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker, All Other do?
This catch-all BLS category includes workers who prepare and serve food in settings like cafeterias, school lunchrooms, or buffets, and may also cover food service supervisors in non-restaurant environments. Duties can include taking payments, stocking serving lines, cleaning tables, and basic food prep—tasks that don't fit into a more specific food service job title.
Is this a good career?
It offers stable entry-level employment with above-average job growth and a median wage above the federal minimum. Pay varies significantly by state and employer, and the work can be physically demanding. Many use it as a stepping stone to management roles in food service.
How many jobs are there for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other?
The BLS counted 84,630 workers in this occupation in 2024. With 14,600 annual openings projected through 2034, that includes growth plus replacements.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other data.