NOC 65201: Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations
What food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations do
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 assist workers who prepare or serve food and beverages. They are employed by restaurants, cafés, hotels, fast food outlets, cafeterias, hospitals and other establishments.
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Food counter attendants and food preparers
- Take customers' orders
- Clean, peel, slice and trim foodstuffs using manual and electric appliances
- Use deep fryer, grill, oven, dispensers and other equipment to prepare fast food items such as sandwiches, hamburgers, fries, salads, ice cream dishes, milkshakes and other beverages
- Portion, assemble, and wrap food or place it directly on plates for service to patrons, and package take-out food
- Use equipment to prepare hot beverages such as 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 work tables, 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 perform other duties to assist cook and kitchen staff.
- Food service helpers
- Clear and clean tables and trays in eating establishments
- Bring clean dishes, flatware and other items to serving areas and set tables
- Replenish condiments and other supplies at tables and in serving areas
- Remove dishes before and after courses
- Perform other duties such as 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.
Job titles under NOC 65201
69 job titles are classified here, including bartender helper, bus boy/girl, cafeteria counter attendant.
- airline food assembler
- bar helper
- barista
- bartender helper
- bus boy/girl
- cafeteria counter attendant
- cafeteria helper
- cafeteria worker
- cafeteria-buffet attendant
- camp cook's helper
- camp lunchroom attendant
- caterer helper
- cook's helper
- counterperson - food services
- dessert maker
- dessert preparer
- dietary aide
- dining room assistant
- dining room attendant
- dishwasher
- dishwashing machine attendant
- donut shop attendant
- donut shop clerk
- donut shop counter clerk
Employment requirements
- Some secondary school education is usually required.
- On-the-job training is provided.
Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations wages in Canada
Low, median and high hourly wages from Job Bank’s 2025 wage data. Annual figures assume full-time work (1,950 hours a year).
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Canada | $15.00/hr | $16.55/hr | $21.50/hr |
Toronto ON | $17.60/hr | $17.60/hr | $21.00/hr |
Montréal QC | $16.10/hr | $17.50/hr | $23.52/hr |
Vancouver Lower Mainland region, BC | $17.85/hr | $17.85/hr | $22.00/hr |
Calgary AB | $15.00/hr | $16.03/hr | $19.03/hr |
Edmonton AB | $15.00/hr | $16.65/hr | $21.37/hr |
Ottawa ON | $17.60/hr | $17.60/hr | $22.20/hr |
Winnipeg MB | $16.00/hr | $16.00/hr | $18.34/hr |
Québec City Quebec region, QC | $16.10/hr | $16.50/hr | $21.75/hr |
Hamilton Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula region, ON | $17.60/hr | $17.60/hr | $20.00/hr |
Kitchener-Waterloo Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie region, ON | $17.60/hr | $17.60/hr | $20.00/hr |
London ON | $17.60/hr | $17.60/hr | $20.70/hr |
Halifax NS | $16.50/hr | $16.50/hr | $18.85/hr |
Victoria Vancouver Island and Coast region, BC | $17.85/hr | $18.00/hr | $24.32/hr |
Saskatoon Saskatoon–Biggar region, SK | $15.35/hr | $15.35/hr | $20.00/hr |
Regina Regina–Moose Mountain region, SK | $15.35/hr | $15.35/hr | $19.00/hr |
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.00/hr | $16.00/hr | $22.00/hr |
Nova Scotia | $16.50/hr | $16.50/hr | $18.77/hr |
New Brunswick | $15.65/hr | $15.65/hr | $21.00/hr |
Quebec | $16.10/hr | $16.50/hr | $21.75/hr |
Ontario | $17.60/hr | $17.60/hr | $21.00/hr |
Manitoba | $16.00/hr | $16.00/hr | $18.50/hr |
Saskatchewan | $15.35/hr | $15.35/hr | $20.19/hr |
Alberta | $15.00/hr | $16.00/hr | $20.00/hr |
British Columbia | $17.85/hr | $17.85/hr | $23.00/hr |
Using NOC 65201 for your resume or Express Entry profile
- IRCC asks you to make sure the main duties listed for your NOC match what you actually did at your job. If they don’t, look for another unit group whose duties do.
- Describe your own work in your own words. Recruiters and ATS software look for concrete tools, results and scope, not text copied from the NOC.
- Applying from outside Canada? Run your resume through the Canadian resume format checker to catch things Canadian employers don’t expect, like a photo or date of birth.
- Use the job title the employer’s posting uses. The 69 titles above are how the same work is named across employers.
Not in this group
Similar jobs classified under a different NOC code:
- Chefs (NOC 62200)
- Cooks (NOC 63200)
- Food and beverage servers (NOC 65200)
- Food service supervisors (NOC 62020)
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations?
Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations are NOC 2021 unit group 65201. Example job titles in this group include bartender helper, bus boy/girl, cafeteria counter attendant, cook's helper.
What TEER is NOC 65201?
NOC 65201 is TEER 5 (Short work demonstration). Usually requires a short work demonstration and no formal education. TEER 4 and 5 work does not count as skilled work experience for Express Entry’s Federal Skilled Worker or Canadian Experience Class programs.
How much do food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations earn in Canada?
Job Bank's 2025 wage data puts the median at $16.55/hr, about $32,000 a year full-time, with a range of $15.00/hr to $21.50/hr.
Related occupations
Sources: Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0; Employment and Social Development Canada, Job Bank wages (2025). Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. OfferJetAI is not affiliated with the Government of Canada. Check IRCC’s NOC guidance before you apply.