Food Service Assistants
Food service assistants work behind the scenes in restaurants, cafeterias, and dining establishments to keep everything running smoothly. You'll help servers and bartenders by cleaning tables, carrying food and dishes, setting up dining areas, and making sure customers have what they need. This job teaches valuable teamwork and customer service skills while working in fast-paced environments where every team member plays an important role. Many food service assistants use point-of-sale systems and work flexible schedules that can fit around school commitments.
Did you know?
Food service assistants must be prepared for physically demanding work including long hours of standing, lifting heavy items, and working in fast-paced, often hot kitchen environments.
At a glance
Typical average pay
$30,200 Avg/yr
Growth
Fast growing
Things to consider
Career Advancement Opportunities
This entry-level position offers pathways to advance to line cook, kitchen supervisor, or restaurant management roles with experience and additional training.
Wage Structure and Benefits
Most positions start at or near minimum wage with potential for tips in some establishments, though full-time positions with comprehensive benefits are less common in this field.
Key responsibilities
Run cash registers.
Maintain adequate supplies of items, such as clean linens, silverware, glassware, dishes, or trays.
Greet and seat customers.
Clean and polish counters, shelves, walls, furniture, or equipment in food service areas or other areas of restaurants and mop or vacuum floors.
Stock refrigerating units with wines or bottled beer or replace empty beer kegs.