The Inside Scoop on Being a Costco Food Service Assistant in 2024
With appetizing aromas and bustling lines, Costco‘s food courts are a key part of the treasure hunt experience for many members. The teams working behind the counters to churn out $1.50 hot dog combos and bulk-sized pizzas make this on-the-go dining possible.
So what‘s it really like to work as a food service assistant at Costco? Here’s an in-depth look at the job duties, pay details, hiring process, and work culture awaiting those looking to don that iconic red apron.
A Multi-Tasking Menu of Job Duties
Food service assistants don‘t just make one type of food all day long. Instead, they are cross-trained and rotate through various stations, including:
- Pizza prep: Rolling dough, topping pies, cutting slices
- Hot dog stand: Grilling dogs and buns, garnishing, assembling orders
- Sandwich station: Slicing ingredients, preparing sandwiches/wraps to order
- Fryer: Cooking up crispy favorites like chicken bakes and churros
- Food court opener: Turning on equipment, restocking supplies, cleaning
- Food court closer: Breaking down stations, sanitizing, discarding leftovers
Safety comes first when managing these different cooking tools. Assistants strictly follow procedures like wearing cut gloves, monitoring fridge/freezer temps, and carefully operating hot surfaces. They also frequently clean counters, sweep floors, and remove trash to keep things spick and span.
It‘s a fast-paced atmosphere, especially on weekends when food courts experience nearly 25,000 daily visits. While it can be hectic, assistants praise the supportive team environment focused on getting members through lines quickly.
Pay, Perks and Advancement Opportunities
The food service assistant role now starts at an average wage of $17 per hour – more than many food service competitors. Costco also provides yearly hourly raises, with long-tenured assistants potentially earning up to $25 per hour.
For part-timers, averaging 20-30 hours weekly, this translates to around $22,000 – $33,000 in annual earnings. Full-timers working 35+ hours may bring home $36,000 – $45,000 per year.
Beyond competitive base pay, assistants receive:
- Health care benefits
- Retirement 401k plan
- Paid time off (sick days, vacation)
- Employee shopping discounts
- Education reimbursement
Seasoned assistants may also train into supervisory roles like front-end manager or food court manager, unlocking salaries closer to $60,000/year.
Inside Tips for Getting Hired
With year-round openings as employee needs arise, here’s how to catch Costco’s eye as a top food service assistant applicant:
- Have weekend, holiday availability when food courts are busiest
- Highlight multi-tasking abilities to manage shifting duties
- Obtain optional food handler certification before applying
- Emphasize any customer service expertise from past jobs
Once hired, new food service assistants complete a three-week paid training program covering food safety, equipment protocols, and member interaction basics before working independently.
The Scoop on Culture from Real Employees
What employees have to say:
“I like how structured Costco is about cleanliness and food safety. They really invest to make sure you know what you‘re doing."
"The food court team works like a well-oiled machine. Everyone jumps in to help wherever needed – it makes work enjoyable."
"Between the hourly pay bumps, bonuses, affordable benefits and 401k options, they offer a lot for retail."
The bottom line? Food service assistants praise Costco‘s training, team camaraderie, member interactions and compensation. It‘s busy keeping those famous churros stocked, but important work ensuring millions of loyal members get consistent, high quality and cost-conscious grub.
Ready to apply your culinary chops in service of the legions of Costco devotees? Now you’ve got the inside story on what it’s really like working alongside those red aprons.
