What does a Food Preparation and Serving earn?
On average, food preparation and service workers earn around $34,490 per year in the U.S.. They work in a wide range of locales, from busy kitchens in large restaurants to cafes and small takeaway counters. Food preparation and service workers are able to specialise in different types of food; from preparing burgers and fries to salads, sandwiches, and more.
How to earn more as a Food Preparation and Serving
To become a food preparation and serving specialist, you will need to have a high knowledge of the culinary arts, health and safety regulations, and business management principles. You can obtain this knowledge and skill through formal culinary education or a degree apprenticeship. To increase your pay and move up within the industry, you may want to specialise in a niche cooking area, such as desserts, or become a head chef of an establishment. You could also branch out and start your own food-related business.
Food Preparation and Serving responsibilities
The average food preparation and serving salary is affected by many factors, including whether you work in the highest-paying cities, labor force demand, responsibilities, and the job title. The job title could be for an entry-level position or senior roles, such as Food Preparation Worker, Dishwasher, Chef, or Bartender.
Most careers working as Food Preparation Workers will see you responsible for duties where you might serve customers, clean tables, take customer payments, prepare food, order supplies, and provide customer service.
Food preparation leaders and managers earn higher salaries than Food Preparation Workers, focusing on delegating tasks, measuring employee performance, resolving complaints from customers, and ensuring health and safety compliance.
Skills and education level
Your education level will also affect your pay and average wage. Most restaurants and bars will expect you to have a high school diploma for entry-level jobs or at least a good standard of English and math. You should be paid higher salaries and compensation if you work for employers requesting a high school degree, with some management positions requiring an associate, bachelor's, or master’s degree.
If you do not have a U.S. high school diploma, you could take the General Education Development Test (GED) to show you have the same knowledge level as a high school graduate. You can take the GED test within America or from more than 90 countries if you live outside the United States.
The top food preparation worker skills for serving related workers and similar professions include food hygiene knowledge, customer service skills, organization, a good memory, numeracy, and cash-handling skills.
What to expect from Food Preparation and Serving careers
You can start your food preparation career in a trainee or junior position. Graduate-level jobs are also available, with the average salary reflecting the education attained. You will likely be expected to work front-of-house or back-of-house, depending on if you are a Food Server or Food Preparation Worker. Tasks may vary depending on the size of the establishment, with smaller restaurants and bars requiring individuals who can cover several roles.
Food preparation and serving related workers often work day, evening, and weekend shifts, including U.S. holidays. As with similar occupations and jobs, you will require physical stamina and you could be expected to spend your entire shift on your feet.
Food Preparation and Serving job title
There are numerous job titles within the food preparation and serving industry. Examples of food preparation-related job titles include Cook, Fast Food Cook, Fast Food Worker, Host, and Hostess. Employees who are employed in skilled roles may secure excellent job growth and a wage above the national average identified by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
You can search for Food Preparation Worker new jobs and salaries on Checkasalary.com for these and similar professions.
View Jobs
Shift Leader: Fast-Paced Food Service Lead in
Weber Enterprises, Inc. operates a Taco Bell franchise with over 40 locations in Oregon and Washington. The Shift Leader will drive fast service, resolve guest issues, and uphold safety and quality standards.
You will supervise food prep, costs, and daily operations while supporting a posit ...Read more
Patient-Centric Food Service Aide – Flexible Shifts in
Trinity Health in Muskegon is seeking a Food Service Worker to support Nutrition Services on 1st and 2nd shifts. You will take orders, input menu selections, assist patients and families, and help with dish handling in a fast-paced healthcare setting.
This full-time role offers on-the-job t ...Read more
Assistant General Manager – Upscale Food Service Leader in
Flik Hospitality Group in Dallas, TX is seeking an Assistant General Manager to co-manage the Capital One Lounge operations at DFW Airport. You will oversee budgeting, safety, sanitation, and staff development while maintaining client satisfaction and interdepartmental coordination.
The rol ...Read more
Service Leader: Lead Crew to Great Food & Service in
Chipotle Mexican Grill in Saint Augustine is seeking a Service Leader to uphold our guest experience by ensuring safe, high‑quality food and a well‑trained crew. You’ll keep the line organized and staffed, monitor food safety and line temperatures, and coach front‑of‑house staff to deli ...Read more
Nutrition Service Supervisor: Hospital Food Service Leader in
Encompass Health is seeking a Nutrition Service Supervisor to coordinate and direct our Nutrition Services Department, guiding cafeteria management, food preparation, budgeting and staff development. You will help oversee nutritional support for patients, staff and guests while ensuring safety an ...Read more
Food Service Supervisor — Flexible Afternoon/Evening Shifts in Notre Dame
Sodexo is hiring a Food Supervisor to oversee on-site food operations across fast casual, coffee/counter service, cafeterias, events/banquets and related facilities. You will coordinate routine tasks, support management, and ensure quality and customer satisfaction.
The role requires 1+ yea ...Read more
Shift Lead - Food Service & Flexible Scheduling in
Being a Crew Leader at a SONIC Drive-In restaurant is the cherry on top of a Strawberry Banana Split Molten Cake Sundae. You'll perform, lead and supervise basic operational duties to provide quality products and service to guests. We want every guest to have an enjoyable dining experience every ...Read more
Food Services Supervisor - Weekdays, Full-Time in Woodhaven
Sodexo is hiring a Food Supervisor in the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District. You will oversee on-site food service operations and coordinate daily tasks for service staff across fast casual, cafeterias, events, and casual dining. You will report to management and ensure smooth service delivery ...Read more
Operations Lead — Food Service & Team Growth in Union
Applegreen USA is seeking an Assistant General Manager in Union, NJ to support daily operations across our travel plazas. In this entry-level management role you will learn essential skills while guiding a team to deliver fast, friendly service and maintain brand standards.
You will oversee ...Read more
Principal Food Service Worker in Los Angeles
Onsite or Remote
Fully On-Site
Work Schedule
Varies
Posted Date
05/11/2026
Salary Range: $21.05 - 25.64 Hourly
Employment Type
Duration
Indefinite
Job #
< ...Read moreBrowse Related Salaries
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Highest-paying locations for Food Preparation and Serving jobs
The location of your food preparation and serving job in America and the United States can significantly affect your pay and compensation. You can use our Salary Calculator to check the annual salary and hourly average salary for jobs in any location in America. We have salary and pay data for locations such as California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Virginia, Massachusetts, Jersey, and more.
You could consider relocating to improve your compensation. However, if you do not wish to relocate, this does not mean you cannot improve your pay. A short commute and working for a business in an inner city location will often mean access to better salaries. If you are interested in a job in a rural location or city, you can use our annual salary data to check if employers are offering a below, above or average salary.
Food Preparation and Serving professional development
The salary for food preparation and serving professionals varies depending on the individual’s career level and experience in the field. Entry-level positions have the lowest pay, while fully qualified workers, senior staff, and management earn more. Graduates with relevant qualifications may command a higher starting salary. To increase your earning potential, consider taking training opportunities such as workshops or online courses. Our per-hour and annual salary data provide guidance on the wage range and earnings for junior, intermediate, and senior industry roles.
Food Preparation and Serving work experience
Obtaining prior food preparation and serving work experience in your chosen career path can significantly enhance your chances of getting hired and earning a competitive salary. Practical experiences such as internships, apprenticeships, shadowing, and vacation work can provide valuable skills and knowledge in the field. If it is not possible to find work experience directly for your prospective job, showcasing transferable skills gained from other experiences can also be beneficial to potential employers and demonstrate your experience level.
Food Preparation and Serving working hours
Working hours for your food preparation and serving job and career can have an impact on monthly pay and salaries. Companies of different sizes may offer higher overtime pay or additional compensation for working non-traditional hours, such as evenings, weekends, or holidays. The type of employment, such as part-time, full-time, permanent, temporary, or contract, can also affect the salary received and should be considered when evaluating compensation fairness.
Food Preparation and Serving salary negotiations
To be well-prepared for salary negotiations with employers, it’s crucial to research and understand the typical salaries and other compensation factors, such as average bonus, for prospective positions. Use our salary comparison tool and perform searches for different job titles and locations to determine your worth.
Keep in mind that food preparation and serving compensation is not only limited to financial benefits and performance-related commission, and consider other benefits such as the ability to work from home, additional paid vacation, gym membership, or private healthcare.
Annual salary, median salary, and taxes
When you review the median salary or annual salary for a food preparation and serving role, it is vital to remember that you will pay taxes on salaries paid. When you receive your pay, you may be liable for various employment taxes, either deducted by your employer or required by self-payment. U.S. government taxes can include Federal Income Tax, Federal and State Unemployment Tax, Social Security and Medicare Tax, and Additional Medicare Taxes.
Food Preparation and Serving job search
If you are seeking a better salary, start your food preparation and serving job search today. You can search for jobs by job title and set up job alerts to get notified as soon as an employer posts their vacancy.