Home > Salary > South Africa > Food Service Worker
A food service worker is an individual who works in the food and beverage industry, providing various services to customers. Their main responsibilities include taking orders, serving food and drinks, operating cash registers, and maintaining cleanliness in the dining area. They may also be involved in food preparation, such as assembling sandwiches or salads, and ensuring that all food safety standards are met.
Food service workers are typically employed in restaurants, cafes, fast food chains, hotels, or catering companies. They must possess excellent customer service skills, as they interact directly with customers on a daily basis. Attention to detail, good hygiene practices, and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment are also important qualities for this occupation.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 61,377 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,115 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,180 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 30 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 4,927 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,137 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 28 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-02
Estimated Yearly Salary: 3,064 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 255 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 59 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 1 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Estimated Yearly Salary: 61,377 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,115 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,180 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 30 ZAR per hour
Our data indicates that by working as Food Service Worker you will not be able to save much money and will likely need to make adjustments to your lifestyle to go comfortably through the month.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Food Service Worker
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
Random salary:
Sacristan (64,751 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Ophthalmologist (502,748 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Retirement counselor (106,569 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
It application engineer (202,689 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Communications secretary (121,145 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Food Service Worker salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Food Service Worker in South Africa is approximately 61,377 ZAR (3,064 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Food Service Worker do?

Skills: Food service worker, Customer service, Food preparation, Cash handling, Hygiene practices, Fast-paced environment.
Job industry: Food and beverage
Job industry: Food and beverage
How much does Food Service Worker make?
Salary details
How much does Food Service Worker make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 61,377 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,115 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,180 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 30 ZAR per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 59,120 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 4,927 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,137 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 28 ZAR per hour
Food Service Worker estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 3,064 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 255 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 59 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 1 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
Please type in your occupation and select desired country to see latest trends in salaries.
Country:
Salary comparison to National average
South Africa is a diverse and vibrant country located at the southernmost tip of the African continent. It has a population of approximately 59 million people and covers an area of around 1.2 million square kilometers. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Food Service Worker job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Food Service Worker in South Africa earns on average:
0.48 times the average salary (or 48% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Food Service Worker job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Food Service Worker in South Africa earns on average:
0.48 times the average salary (or 48% of average salary).
Is Food Service Worker a well paid job?
No, our data shows that Food Service Worker is quite an underpaid paid job. The salary varies based on experience. Meaning that even though Food Service Worker might be a low paying job, with experience the salary might increase to satisfactory levels.What is considered a high salary for Food Service Worker?
High salary for Food Service Worker would be somewhere between 67,515 ZAR and 88,997 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Food Service Worker in South Africa?
Living in South Africa the approximate monthly expenses are: 271 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 61,377 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,115 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,180 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 30 ZAR per hour
Our data indicates that by working as Food Service Worker you will not be able to save much money and will likely need to make adjustments to your lifestyle to go comfortably through the month.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Food Service Worker
Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
- more than 25 years of experience yields
Top 10 highest salaries in South Africa
(1,412,867 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
2. Cardiologist
(1,176,011 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,138,908 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,102,268 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
5. Neurosurgeon
(1,100,784 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,077,960 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,073,792 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,073,439 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
9. Oncologist
(1,071,922 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
10. Urologist
(1,071,632 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Random salary:
Sacristan (64,751 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Ophthalmologist (502,748 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Retirement counselor (106,569 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
It application engineer (202,689 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Communications secretary (121,145 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Feedback about these results
Please provide feedback by clicking buttons below if you find any of our salaries erroneous.

The salary figures on this website are meant for informational purposes exclusively.
Salary details presented on optisalary.com are intended for informational purposes only. Our data is sourced through various sources and may not necessarily be up to date. Users must verify salary information independently before making employment decisions. The figures listed here may fluctuate due to variables such as company policies, experience levels, and demand shifts. We do not warrant that the data displayed is flawless. By using optisalary.com, you agree that salary information is offered 'as is' and without assurances.
The salary data on this site is designed for informational purposes only. We offer salary insights derived from multiple datasets, but do not guarantee absolute accuracy. Users should consistently cross-check salary details with other trusted sources before making career-related choices. Variations in salary figures may arise due to various factors, including location, experience, and industry. We do not extend any warranty regarding the completeness of the provided salary information. Use of this website implies acknowledgment of these terms.