Deli Clerk

Also called: Deli Associate, Counter Clerk

Slices meats and cheeses, makes sandwiches, and serves customers at a deli counter.

A day in the life

You slice a pound of turkey 'thin, not shaved,' build sandwiches during the lunch rush, and keep the case looking full and fresh. You learn food safety and lots of regulars' orders. It is a common first job in food.

Pay over a career

Starting
$25k
Typical
$33k
High
$42k

Training

No formal education, about 0 years after high school. No education required; stores train you on the job to use slicers safely, and you get a food handler card.

Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.

Outlook

Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years). Grouped with food preparation workers.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Order kiosks and automatic slicers trim some work; serving customers at the counter stays human.

Could start right away

Age 18+. One way to start: Apply to grocery deli counters (18+ to use the meat slicer by federal law)

Start now, in high school

Classes: Culinary arts CTE, Math, Spanish.

Official data: O*NET occupation 35-2021.

More Specialty Food Shops & Markets careers

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.