Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers, and Related Workers

(NOC 6711)

in All Sales and Service

Food counter attendants and food preparers prepare, heat and finish cooking simple food items and serve customers at food counters. Kitchen helpers, food service helpers, and dishwashers’ clear tables, clean kitchen areas, wash dishes, and perform various other activities to help workers who prepare or serve food and beverages. They work for restaurants, cafés, hotels, fast food outlets, cafeterias, hospitals, and other businesses.

Job Outlook

Good

Read more

  • Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 1225 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Sales and Service

  • Estimate 10325 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 17495 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Restaurants in some areas of the province have experienced difficulty recruiting workers in this occupation, especially those impacted by public health restrictions during the pandemic. Prospects are good for individuals looking for work in this occupation, however some opportunities are seasonal or require long or irregular hours.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$14.50

Median

$17.01

Maximum

Annual Pay

$1,692

Minimum

$10,593

Median

$30,311

Maximum

Compared to: All Sales and Service

Hourly Pay

$12.95

Minimum

$15.00

Median

$25.60

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,949

Minimum

$16,629

Median

$45,086

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Food counter attendants and food preparers prepare, heat and finish cooking simple food items and serve customers at food counters. Kitchen helpers, food service helpers, and dishwashers’ clear tables, clean kitchen areas, wash dishes, and perform various other activities to help workers who prepare or serve food and beverages. They work for restaurants, cafés, hotels, fast food outlets, cafeterias, hospitals, and other businesses.

Job duties

Food counter attendants and food preparers:

  • Take customers' orders.
  • Clean, peel, slice and trim food using manual and electric appliances.
  • Use deep fryer, grill, oven, dispensers, and other equipment to prepare fast food items like sandwiches, hamburgers, fries, salads, ice cream dishes, milkshakes, and other drinks.
  • Portion, assemble, and wrap food or place it directly on plates for service to customers, and package take-out food.
  • Use equipment to prepare hot drinks like coffee and tea specialties.
  • Serve customers at counters or buffet tables.
  • Stock refrigerators and salad bars and keep records of the quantities of food used.
  • May receive payment for food items purchased.

Kitchen helpers:

  • Wash and peel vegetables and fruit.
  • Wash worktables, cupboards, and appliances.
  • Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.
  • Unpack and store supplies in refrigerators, cupboards, and other storage areas.
  • Sweep and mop floors and complete other duties to help cook and kitchen staff.

Food service helpers:

  • Clear and clean tables and trays in eating companies.
  • Bring clean dishes, flatware, and other items to serving areas and set tables.
  • Restock condiments and other supplies at tables and in serving areas.
  • Remove dishes before and after courses.
  • Perform other duties like scraping and stacking dishes, carrying linen to and from laundry area, and running errands.

Dishwashers:

  • Wash dishes, glassware, flatware, pots and pans using dishwasher or by hand.
  • Place dishes in storage area.
  • Scour pots and pans and may clean and polish silverware.

Sample job titles

  • barista
  • bartender helper
  • bus boy/girl
  • cafeteria worker
  • dining room attendant
  • dishwasher
  • fast-food preparer
  • food counter attendant
  • food service worker
  • kitchen helper

Skills

  • You should have good health, physical stamina, and manual dexterity. You must also be able to work on your own and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

  • Some high school education is usually required.
  • On-the-job training is provided.

Other considerations

  • Work in these jobs tends to be seasonal, with employment levels peaking in the summer months. Food service workers are often expected to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

By the numbers

Quick look

12,915

employed in 2016

40.7%

employed full-time

1.0%

self employed

69.1%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
30.9%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
23.9

median age

Compared to: All Sales and Service

102,605

employed in 2016

56.4%

employed full-time

5.8%

self employed

60.1%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
39.9%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
37

median age

Where will I likely work?

45.1%

Halifax

$10,286 median annual income
15.9%

North Shore

$11,114 median annual income
14.2%

Cape Breton

$12,536 median annual income
12.6%

Annapolis Valley

$9,701 median annual income
12.2%

Southern

$10,312 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

76.1%

Accommodation and food services

12.9%

Health care and social assistance

5.1%

Retail trade

1.1%

Public administration

1.1%

Educational services

What is the age of Employment?

53.0%

15-24

14.0%

25-34

11.0%

45-54

11.0%

55-64

9.0%

35-44

2.0%

65+

Compared to: All Sales and Service

30.0%

15-24

17.2%

45-54

17.2%

25-34

16.1%

55-64

13.8%

35-44

Top levels of education

44.8%

High school

$11,235 median annual income
32.2%

Less than high school

$6,285 median annual income
11.7%

College Diploma

$15,440 median annual income
5.4%

Bachelor

$13,346 median annual income
4.1%

Trade Certification

$14,563 median annual income

Compared to: All Sales and Service

39.8%

High school

$15,705 median annual income
19.7%

Less than high school

$9,866 median annual income
19.5%

College Diploma

$20,644 median annual income
9.9%

Bachelor

$21,262 median annual income
8.0%

Trade Certification

$21,234 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Nova Scotia Tourism Talent
Halifax, NS

Additional resources