High-paying Food Industry Jobs in Madison
The Food Industry involves producing and distributing food items. Workers ensure safe handling, preparation, and quality control. Knowledge of hygiene standards is critical.
The 684 food industry jobs listed below pay well, with salaries between $16.60 and $20.86 per hour. Server, Cook and Bartender are among the most popular high-paying roles in Madison, WI.
Job title
Updated Sep 08, 2026
Job title
Madison, WI
Wisconsin
Job openings (Madison)
Kitchen Manager
Madison
$21.13
per hour
Wisconsin
$20.13
per hour
Server
Madison
$20.86
per hour
Wisconsin
$17.27
per hour
Bartender
Madison
$19.74
per hour
Wisconsin
$14.52
per hour
Line Cook
Madison
$18.91
per hour
Wisconsin
$18.22
per hour
Cook
Madison
$18.60
per hour
Wisconsin
$17.35
per hour
Prep Cook
Madison
$18.32
per hour
Wisconsin
$16.18
per hour
Dishwasher
Madison
$17.23
per hour
Wisconsin
$14.67
per hour
Host/Hostess
Madison
$17.02
per hour
Wisconsin
$14.15
per hour
Barista
Madison
$16.60
per hour
Wisconsin
$14.44
per hour
Restaurant Staff
Madison
$15.44
per hour
Wisconsin
$13.78
per hour
Job descriptions below are for educational purposes. Please refer to the employer's job description for complete details.
-
Kitchen Manager
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Kitchen Managers oversee meal preparation, manage kitchen staff, and ensure compliance with health regulations. Culinary management skills, leadership capabilities, and hygiene knowledge are essential.
The top companies hiring Kitchen Manager in Madison, WI are Kwik Trip (8 jobs), Texas Roadhouse (1 job), and Ian's Pizza (1 job).
Kitchen Manager jobs take 59 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 9% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 30 jobsAverage pay
Madison
$21.13 per hourWisconsin
$20.13 per hourSkills
- Management
- Kitchen management
- Restaurant management
- Leadership
- Supervising experience
-
Server
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Servers provide table service, take orders, and ensure guest satisfaction. Experience in food and beverage service, strong communication skills, and attentiveness are key for excellent customer experiences.
The top companies hiring Server in Madison, WI are IHOP (68 jobs), Roaring Fork Restaurant Group (7 jobs), and Food Fight Restaurant Group (4 jobs).
Server jobs take 67 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 51% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 211 jobsAverage pay
Madison
$20.86 per hourWisconsin
$17.27 per hourSkills
- Restaurant experience
- Customer service
- Serving
- Communication skills
- Hospitality
-
Bartender
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Bartenders prepare beverages, manage bar inventory, and engage customers. cocktail-making skills, customer service experience, and knowledge of health regulations are needed.
The top companies hiring Bartender in Madison, WI are SSP Group (3 jobs), Olive Garden (2 jobs), and Food Fight Restaurant Group (2 jobs).
Bartender jobs take 88 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 54% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 67 jobsAverage pay
Madison
$19.74 per hourWisconsin
$14.52 per hourSkills
- Bartending
- Restaurant experience
- Hospitality
- Serving
- Communication skills
-
Line Cook
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Line Cooks prepare food items, maintain kitchen stations, and follow recipes. Key skills include proficiency in culinary techniques, kitchen equipment use, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
The top companies hiring Line Cook in Madison, WI are Food Fight Restaurant Group (6 jobs), Curry in the Box (3 jobs), and Olive Garden (2 jobs).
Line Cook jobs take 112 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 48% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 64 jobsAverage pay
Madison
$18.91 per hourWisconsin
$18.22 per hourSkills
- Cooking
- Restaurant experience
- Kitchen experience
- Food preparation
- Food handling
-
Cook
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Cooks prepare meals, manage kitchen operations, and maintain food safety standards. Culinary skills, creativity in menu development, and kitchen management experience are essential.
The top companies hiring Cook in Madison, WI are IHOP (16 jobs), Roaring Fork Restaurant Group (9 jobs), and Border Foods (3 jobs).
Cook jobs take 61 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 39% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 128 jobsAverage pay
Madison
$18.60 per hourWisconsin
$17.35 per hourSkills
- Cooking
- Restaurant experience
- Food preparation
- Food service
- Food handling
-
Prep Cook
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Prep Cooks assist chefs, prepare ingredients, and ensure kitchen cleanliness. Culinary skills, attention to sanitation standards, and teamwork abilities are essential.
The top companies hiring Prep Cook in Madison, WI are Roaring Fork Restaurant Group (7 jobs), Olive Garden (2 jobs), and Food Fight Restaurant Group (2 jobs).
Prep Cook jobs take 91 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 46% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 31 jobsAverage pay
Madison
$18.32 per hourWisconsin
$16.18 per hourSkills
- Cooking
- Restaurant experience
- Culinary experience
- Kitchen experience
- Knife skills
-
Dishwasher
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Dishwashers clean dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment, ensuring health standards are met. Ability to work efficiently under pressure, reliability, and maintaining clean workspaces are important traits.
The top companies hiring Dishwasher in Madison, WI are Olive Garden (2 jobs), Food Fight Restaurant Group (2 jobs), and Cracker Barrel (1 job).
Dishwasher jobs take 48 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 47% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 32 jobsAverage pay
Madison
$17.23 per hourWisconsin
$14.67 per hourSkills
- Dishwashing
- Restaurant experience
- Kitchen experience
- Food service
- Communication skills
-
Host/Hostess
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Hosts/Hostesses greet guests, manage reservations, and coordinate seating in dining establishments. A warm demeanor, multitasking abilities, and excellent communication skills are key for a welcoming atmosphere and smooth operations.
The top companies hiring Host/Hostess in Madison, WI are Olive Garden (2 jobs), Texas Roadhouse (2 jobs), and Food Fight Restaurant Group (2 jobs).
Host/Hostess jobs take 72 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 50% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 38 jobsAverage pay
Madison
$17.02 per hourWisconsin
$14.15 per hourSkills
- Customer service
- Restaurant experience
- Hotel experience
- Guest relations
- Serving
-
Barista
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Baristas prepare beverages, maintain cleanliness, and provide excellent customer service. Experience with coffee machines, strong interpersonal skills, and an understanding of food safety standards are important.
The top companies hiring Barista in Madison, WI are Starbucks (18 jobs), Target (4 jobs), and Ancora Coffee + Bakery (3 jobs).
Barista jobs take 58 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 44% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 47 jobsAverage pay
Madison
$16.60 per hourWisconsin
$14.44 per hourSkills
- Customer service
- Restaurant experience
- Serving
- Hospitality
- Barista experience
-
Restaurant Staff
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Restaurant Staff serve customers, maintain cleanliness, and support kitchen operations. Customer care skills, ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and teamwork are essential.
The top companies hiring Restaurant Staff in Madison, WI are Noodles & Company (6 jobs), Panera Bread (5 jobs), and Papa John's (2 jobs).
Restaurant Staff jobs take 54 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 59% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 36 jobsAverage pay
Madison
$15.44 per hourWisconsin
$13.78 per hourSkills
- Customer service
- Food service
- Cash register
- Restaurant experience
- Food safety