Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of server and hostesses that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of server and hostesses:
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Caterer/Server is the highest-paid type of server and hostess with an average salary of $33,737 and an average hourly rate of $16.22.
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The second highest-paying type of server and hostess is line cook, with an average salary of $32,894.
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The average server and hostess salary is $28,020 per year, and the average hourly pay is $13.47.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a server and hostess, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of server and hostesses are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of server and hostesses:
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Caterer/Server
Average Salary: $33,737
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Line Cook
Average Salary: $32,894
Line cooks are responsible for preparing meals for guests or employers. The term line cook brings to mind an assembly line. This is apt because line cooks are usually assigned to a specific station to work on a specific part of a meal or a preparation process. They are part of a bigger group of cooks in the restaurant. This is done so that meal preparation is more efficient. Line cooks are responsible for preparing ingredients, ensuring that the pantry is well-stocked, and doing their assigned activity in the line. They are expected to be good team players, have experience as a cook, and be able to follow recipes and provide alternatives when necessary.
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Bartender Server
Average Salary: $32,591
Bartender servers are employees who work in the restaurant’s bar area. They are responsible for assembling customers’ drink orders and serving these to customers. They should be sound drink mixers and must be familiar with cocktail combinations and other mixes. They should also know the ingredients of the restaurant’s drinks and should be able to use alternatives should specific components be unavailable. Some bartender servers engage in flairtending, a way of mixing drinks that entertains the guests waiting for their drinks.
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Fine Dining Server
Average Salary: $32,140
Fine dining servers the people who make your stay at a restaurant enjoyable. They deliver well-written orders for the kitchen to prepare and bring your food and beverage. Being a fine dining server is no easy task, as certain skill sets need to be met in order to become an effective dining server. An efficient server is detail-oriented, observant to the needs of the diners, and intuitive. An extensive knowledge of wines and other specific food categories may be required depending on the restaurant.
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Customer Service And Serving
Average Salary: $31,909
Below is a full table of the average pay for various server and hostess that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Server And Hostesses
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caterer/Server | |
| 2 | Line Cook | |
| 3 | Bartender Server | |
| 4 | Fine Dining Server | |
| 5 | Customer Service And Serving | |
| 6 | Server/Barista | |
| 7 | Server | |
| 8 | Cook/Server | |
| 9 | Banquet Server | |
| 10 | Lead Server | |
| 11 | Line Server | |
| 12 | Food And Beverage Server | |
| 13 | Hostess | |
| 14 | Cocktail Server | |
| 15 | Host/Waiter | |
| 16 | Food Runner | |
| 17 | Food Server | |
| 18 | Waitstaff | |
| 19 | Waitress | |
| 20 | Restaurant Server |
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for server and hostesses.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Server And Hostess Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid server and hostess job?
The highest-paid server and hostess job is a caterer/server. Caterer/Servers earn an average salary of $33,737, which is $ 16.22 hourly.
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What is a good salary for a server and hostess?
A good salary for a server and hostess is $28,020 or more. The average server and hostess salary is $28,020, so those making at least $28,020 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average server and hostess salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a server and hostess, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $28,020 average, as this includes all server and hostesses of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Server And Hostess jobs pay well?
No, server and hostess jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some server and hostess jobs pay better than others, but the average server and hostess salary of $28,020 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many server and hostess jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of server and hostesses earning $0 a year on average.
Server And Hostesses’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a server and hostess. Do your research on the going rate for a server and hostess in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do server and hostesses get paid the most?
Server And Hostesses get paid the most in Arizona. In Arizona, server and hostesses earn an average annual salary of $30,418 and an average hourly wage of $14.62.
Following AZ, the states with the highest-paid server and hostesses are New York, West Virginia, and Massachusetts, with average annual salaries of $37,082, $28,290, and $34,782 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid server and hostess salaries are:
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Binghamton, NY – $37,097
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Boston, MA – $34,805
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Modesto, CA – $32,228
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
