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Food Service Workers: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Food Service Workers programs equip individuals with the essential skills and knowledge required to thrive in diverse food service environments, from large-scale institutional kitchens to commercial dining operations. This training emphasizes hands-on proficiency in food handling, safety protocols, and efficient service delivery, preparing graduates for immediate entry into the food industry.

  • Food Selection and Storage: Learn how to evaluate ingredient quality, manage inventory effectively, and maintain optimal storage conditions to preserve freshness and prevent spoilage.
  • Food Preparation and Cooking Techniques: Develop practical skills in meal assembly, cooking methods, and portion control to ensure consistency, flavor, and compliance with dietary standards.
  • Food Safety and Sanitation Standards: Master critical practices in hygiene, cross-contamination prevention, and regulatory compliance to uphold health codes and protect public well-being.
  • Basic Nutrition Principles: Gain foundational knowledge of dietary requirements, balanced meals, and nutritional labeling to support healthy eating initiatives in institutional settings.
  • Commercial Equipment Operation and Maintenance: Become proficient in using, cleaning, and troubleshooting kitchen appliances and tools commonly found in professional food service environments.
  • Service Techniques and Customer Interaction: Cultivate professionalism in serving procedures, time management, and guest engagement to deliver efficient and respectful dining experiences.
  • Institutional Food Establishment Management: Understand the operational dynamics of cafeterias, hospitals, schools, and government facilities, including workflow coordination and staffing needs.

Food Service Workers Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

181
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
13
Universities & Colleges
1
Career Pathways

Food Service Workers Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Food Service Workers degrees, including Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 448,260 professionals.


National Average Salaries

Occupation Median Salary Salary Range Total Employment Hourly Rate
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria 35-2012 $36,450 $26,800 - $48,320 448,260 $17.53

Food Service Workers Salary Map by State

Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $25,830 in Mississippi to $48,260 in Washington—a 87% difference. The highest-paying states include Washington, Hawaii, and Alaska. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 448,260 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.

Average Salary Range:

Top Universities for Food Service Workers by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 13 institutions offering Food Service Workers programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Food Service Workers is found at Greenville Technical College (GTC) (34 graduates), Central Arizona College (CAC) (29 graduates), Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) (27 graduates), Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) (21 graduates), and Trident Technical College (TTC) (20 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 181 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.

College Name Award Levels Graduates Location Control Website
Greenville Technical College (GTC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
34 Greenville, South Carolina Public gvltec.edu
Central Arizona College (CAC)
Other Award
29 Coolidge, Arizona Public centralaz.edu
Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC)
Other Award
27 Conway, South Carolina Public hgtc.edu
Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT)
Other Award
21 Beaumont, Texas Public lit.edu
Trident Technical College (TTC)
Other Award
20 Charleston, South Carolina Public tridenttech.edu
Pierpont Community and Technical College (PCTC)
Associate's
12 Fairmont, West Virginia Public pierpont.edu
Southeast Community College Area (SCC)
Other Award
11 Lincoln, Nebraska Public southeast.edu
ECPI University (ECPI)
Associate's
9 Virginia Beach, Virginia Private ecpi.edu
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI)
Associate's
7 Albuquerque, New Mexico Public sipi.edu
Delaware County Community College (DCCC)
Associate's
Other Award
4 Media, Pennsylvania Public dccc.edu
Iowa Western Community College (IWCC)
Other Award
3 Council Bluffs, Iowa Public iwcc.edu
Carteret Community College
Other Award
3 Morehead City, North Carolina Public carteret.edu
Salt Lake Community College (SLCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
1 Salt Lake City, Utah Public slcc.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Food Service Workers programs

How much can I earn with a Food Service Workers degree?

Salaries for Food Service Workers graduates vary by role and location. Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earn a median of $36,450 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Washington average $48,260 compared to $25,830 in Mississippi. Approximately 448,260 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.

Which universities have the largest Food Service Workers programs?

Currently 13 accredited institutions offer Food Service Workers degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Greenville Technical College (GTC) (34 graduates), Central Arizona College (CAC) (29 graduates), and Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) (27 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.

Is enrollment in Food Service Workers growing or declining?

Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 192 in 2010 to 181 in 2023-24. This represents a 6% decrease overall from 2010.

The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.

Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.

What career paths are available with a Food Service Workers degree?

This degree prepares you for roles such as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria. Related occupations employ approximately 448,260 professionals nationwide.

Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.

Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.

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