How much does a kitchen assistant earn?
Kitchen assistants support cooks in restaurants, hotels, canteens and catering: they prep ingredients, wash dishes, keep workstations clean and help with goods receipt and service. Entry is often without classic dual apprenticeship – via on-the-job training, entry qualification or internships; many later move into cook or hotel training. Gross pay depends on region, employer, shift model and experience. As a guide, experienced kitchen assistants in Germany in 2026 often earn about 2.150–2.650 € gross per month; in induction and entry phases typical ranges are around 830–1.100 €.
Salary by region (gross/month)
Orientation figures as of 2026. The apprenticeship column means induction, entry qualification, internships or comparable starter pay; qualified means practising, experienced kitchen assistants. Actual pay depends on collective agreements, employer, region, shift allowances and experience and is not a guarantee.
Further training options
Job and everyday work
A kitchen assistant keeps the kitchen running: prep, wash, clean and support the cooks. Everyday work includes hygiene and pace in peak times, physical standing work, and shift, evening and weekend duties – often closely coordinated with kitchen, dishwashing and pass.
- Wash and cut vegetables, prep ingredients and set up mise en place for the cooks.
- Wash dishes, pots and work surfaces; load and unload the dishwasher.
- Receive, unpack and store goods by FIFO; keep cold and dry stores in order.
- Follow hygiene and HACCP rules: hands, temperatures, allergens and station cleanliness.
- Support kitchen and pass in peak times: hand over, clear, handle waste and disposal.
- Shift, evening and weekend work in a team; reliably follow kitchen management instructions.
