Kitchen Helpers

Career summary

#This uses the dishwasher soc for wage data, anyway the closest match is probably busperson but that has it's own description. So I'll just use wage data and health dept reqs.

Kitchen helpers work in:

• Restaurants
• Cafeterias
• Fast-food outlets
• Other public places where people eat and drink

Kitchen helpers may assist head chefs or cooks with the less-skilled tasks required to prepare food. They clean and prepare food for cooking or serving. For example, kitchen helpers may peel and slice vegetables and fruits for salads. They may cut or chop meat or seafood before it is cooked. They may weigh and measure ingredients or stir soups and sauces. In fast food outlets, kitchen helpers often cook and serve simple menu items.

Sanitary conditions are very important in food production. Kitchen helpers are responsible for cleaning work areas and equipment. Their primary task is to maintain a clean and organized work area. They also wash dishes, utensils, and pots and pans either by hand or using a dishwasher or steam cleaner.

In addition, kitchen helpers:

• Keep supplies stocked in work areas
• Unload trucks that make deliveries
• Stock serving stations, refrigerators, and salad bars
• Set up banquet tables

Related careers

This career is part of the Hospitality and Tourism cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Buspersons
• Caterers
• Counter Attendants
• Food Preparation Workers
• Janitors
• Meat Cutters
• Short-Order Cooks

Military careers

• Food Service Specialists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to kitchen helpers.

• Clean work areas, equipment, utensils, or dishes by hand or by dishwasher. Clean garbage cans with water or steam.
• Clean and prepare various foods for cooking or serving. May slice vegetables or cut meat.
• May cook or put together simple menu items in fast food restaurants.
• Carry supplies and equipment between storage and work areas.
• Stock serving stations, refrigerators, and salad bars with food and utensils.
• Load or unload trucks that deliver or pick up food and supplies.
• Set up banquet tables.
• Place clean dishes, utensils, and cooking equipment in storage areas.
• Maintain kitchen work areas, equipment, and utensils in clean and orderly condition.
• Sweep and scrub floors.
• Sort and remove trash, placing it in designated pickup areas.

Common work activities

Kitchen helpers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Handle and move objects
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Teach others
• Control machines and processes
• Assist and care for others
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Coach others
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Get information needed to do the job
• Schedule work and activities
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Evaluate information against standards
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Develop and build teams
• Monitor and control resources
• Develop goals and strategies

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, kitchen helpers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a low to medium level of social contact. They get instructions from supervisors, but spend most of their shift working alone or with other helpers.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of other workers and customers.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by other helpers.

Physical work conditions

• Often work indoors, but may work outdoors while unloading supplies from trucks or catering outdoor events.
• Sometimes wear uniforms such as aprons or jackets.
• Are on rare occasions exposed to hazardous situations when cutting or slicing. The likelihood of even slight injury is low.
• Often wear protective attire such as hair nets and gloves.

Work performance

• Must be sure that all details of the job are done and their work is exact. Errors could affect the health of customers.
• Must sometimes match the pace of work to the speed of equipment.

Hours/travel

• May work full time or part time.
• May work days, evenings, weekends, or holidays.
• May be required to work split shifts. For example, they might work from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., with time off in between.
• May be required to work rotating shifts. For example, they might work days one week and evenings the next.

Physical demands

Kitchen helpers frequently:

• Stand for long periods of time.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Bend or twist their body.

It is important for kitchen helpers to be able to:

• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for kitchen helpers to be able to:

• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.

Skills and abilities

Kitchen helpers need to:

Communicate

• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand spoken information.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

• Food Services

Training

To work as a kitchen helper, you typically need to:

• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Kitchen helper jobs tend to be entry-level jobs that require little or no previous work experience. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or equivalent.

On-the-job training

Most kitchen helpers learn their skills on the job from an experienced worker. Training includes:

• preparing food;
• cleaning surfaces, dishes, and equipment; and
• handling food safely.

After training, another worker supervises your work for a short period. Training may last a few hours or a few days.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be food service specialists. This military occupation includes kitchen helpers. Training lasts nine to 14 weeks, depending on your specialty. Further training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Culinary Arts
• Family and Consumer Sciences
• Food and Nutrition
• Food Service

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers do not require experience, although experience is helpful when applying for a job. Students may be able to work part time while they are still in school.

Employers expect kitchen helpers to be able to work as part of a team. In addition, kitchen helpers must have good hygiene habits. This means they must wash their hands after using the restroom and before handling foods. Most employers require kitchen helpers to have a health certificate. This shows that kitchen helpers are free from diseases that could spread to people who eat the food they prepare.

Costs to workers

Some kitchen helpers may be required to join a union and pay an initiation fee and monthly dues.

Licensing/certification

Kitchen helpers must have a food worker card. To receive a card, workers must pay a $10 fee and pass a written examination. The initial card is valid for two years. After that period, cards must be renewed every three years. With additional food safety training, workers can qualify for a five-year card. Those working in health care facilities and public schools may need hepatitis and HIV/AIDS training. This is usually supplied by the employer. Workers in public schools with regularly scheduled unsupervised access to children must have a criminal background check.

For more information on food worker cards, contact your local county health department listed in the county government section of your phone book. You may also find more information at the Washington Department of Health's Food Worker Card page. 

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Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Dishwashers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Wages for kitchen helpers vary by area of the country and employer. Wages are usually highest in fine restaurants and hotels.

A large percentage of kitchen helpers work less than full time. Those who work full time often receive benefits. These include vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Those who work part time rarely receive benefits.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Full-service restaurants
• Fast food restaurants
• Hotels and motels
• Nursing and personal care facilities

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be about average. Fewer dish washers and kitchen helpers are needed however, the increase in the number of restaurants and continued popularity of eating out will create some demand.

Many of the job openings will occur as kitchen helpers leave their jobs for jobs that pay better. This is common in occupations that require little training and offer flexible hours.

Other resources

Hospitality Careers Online 

National Restaurant Association 
2055 L Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
800.424.5156
202.331.5900

UNITE HERE 
275 - 7th Avenue, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10001
212.265.7000

Washington Hospitality Association 
510 Plum Street SE, Suite 200
Olympia, WA 98501
800.225.7166
360.956.7279

References

Career cluster

• Hospitality and Tourism

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Dishwashers (35-9021.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 1 - Little or no preparation needed. No previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Kitchen Helper (318.687-010) 
• Scullion (318.687-014) 
• Silver Wrapper (318.687-018) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Conventional/Enterprising

COPSystem

• Consumer Economics