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How to hire a banquet server

Banquet server hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring banquet servers in the United States:

  • There are currently 72,767 banquet servers in the US, as well as 125,381 job openings.
  • Banquet servers are in the highest demand in Denver, CO, with 35 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire a banquet server is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new banquet server to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a banquet server, step by step

To hire a banquet server, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a banquet server:

Here's a step-by-step banquet server hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a banquet server job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new banquet server
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a banquet server do?

A banquet server is responsible for assisting guests in food catering events. Banquet servers' duties include arranging tables as the client desires, preparing the catering setup, refilling foods and beverages, managing guests' inquiries and possible complaints, keeping the food area clean, and maintaining the highest sanitation standards for the guests' best banquet experience. A banquet server should have excellent communication and time-management skills, especially on serving guests that would require utmost care and safe handling.

Learn more about the specifics of what a banquet server does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the banquet server you need to hire. Certain banquet server roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a banquet server to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a banquet server that fits the bill.

    The following list breaks down different types of banquet servers and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Banquet ServerDescriptionHourly rate
    Banquet ServerWaiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and beverages to customers in dining establishments.$9-19
    WaitressWaitresses are responsible for ensuring that guests are given proper attention during their visit to the restaurant. They guide guests to their table, provide menu boards, answer any questions the guests may have, take the guests' order, and communicate the order to the kitchen... Show more$8-16
    Food RunnerFood Runners are responsible for assisting waitstaff on serving customers at a restaurant or similar establishment. Among their duties include maintaining cleanliness in particular areas, setting tables, refilling drinks, assisting customers with everything that they need, and coordinating with the workforce in and out of the kitchen... Show more$8-16
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Wine
    • Cleanliness
    • Food Service
    • Customer Service
    • Professional Appearance
    • Beverage Service
    • Buffets
    • Alcoholic Beverages
    • Banquet Functions
    • BEO
    • Fine Dining
    • Event Order
    • Banquet Events
    • Exceptional Guest
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Provide professional bartending and hospitality services to optimize customer service experiences for private, corporate, and public events.
    • Create PowerPoint food presentations for training purposes.
    • Gain skills in customer dining service, hospitality and compassion.
    • Analyze BEOs to ensure rooms are prepare each day for schedule events.
    • Organize and run every event book through cold calling or past guests.
    • Review BEOs in order to ensure proper room setup and A/V requests are meet.
    More banquet server duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the banquet server job description is a good way to get more applicants. A banquet server salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for a banquet server in Tennessee may be lower than in Massachusetts, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level banquet server. Additionally, a banquet server with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average banquet server salary

    $13.95hourly

    $29,017 yearly

    Entry-level banquet server salary
    $20,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 23, 2025

    Average banquet server salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1District of Columbia$37,960$18
    2Massachusetts$37,837$18
    3Washington$37,204$18
    4New York$36,078$17
    5California$35,108$17
    6Oregon$32,908$16
    7Maryland$31,762$15
    8Maine$31,282$15
    9Arizona$29,539$14
    10Minnesota$29,406$14
    11Colorado$27,920$13
    12Illinois$26,919$13
    13Pennsylvania$26,638$13
    14Michigan$26,437$13
    15Indiana$26,362$13
    16Ohio$25,371$12
    17Missouri$24,695$12
    18Florida$24,621$12
    19Wisconsin$24,059$12
    20New Mexico$23,824$11

    Average banquet server salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Endicott College$43,822$21.07
    2Aspen Snowmass$43,266$20.8016
    3The Culinary Institute of America$40,301$19.38
    4University of California-Berkeley$40,154$19.30
    5Rich Products$38,704$18.613
    6UC Santa Barbara$38,162$18.35
    7TPC Group$37,728$18.145
    8University of California$37,376$17.974
    9Valley Brook Country Club$36,934$17.76
    10Bay Head Yacht Club$36,058$17.342
    11Kelber Catering$35,902$17.26
    12Ethan Allen$35,211$16.93
    13Sentry$34,385$16.537
    14Erickson Senior Living$33,737$16.2223
    15Eagle Creek Golf & Country Club$33,687$16.20
    16Blue Hills Country Club$33,015$15.87
    17Pacific Palms Resort$32,978$15.85
    18Fairlawn Country Club$32,947$15.84
    19HEI Hotels & Resorts$32,842$15.7999
    20The Marsh$32,590$15.67
  4. Writing a banquet server job description

    A job description for a banquet server role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a banquet server job description:

    Banquet server job description example

    Established in 1859, The Buffalo Rose is a popular multi-purpose event venue located in downtown Golden, Colorado. Following a complete facility overhaul in 2018, The Buffalo Rose is well-positioned to be a destination event venue in the Denver market. We offer completely customized events for our clients with the highest level of service standards.

    **Job Summary**

    Part-time position, hours vary week to week based on events, seasonal.

    Event servers will work events ranging from passed hors d’oeuvres, to food stations, to plated gala dinners. You may work social events, corporate events or weddings. Event service staff will be expected to work as part of a team, with a positive attitude - understand that this role is vital to the importance of a

    successful event. Event staff will ensure our delicious food shines while

    providing impeccable service. This position reports to the Event Captain

    directly onsite and the Director of Special Events when required.

    Compensation includes hourly wage and tips (when applicable).

    **Responsibilities**

    - Serve events ranging from passing, clearing, plated service, fine dining.

    - Setup and breakdown of events, including possibly setting up equipment, supplies, beverages, decor, etc. (to include flipping of event space)

    - Setup and breakdown will include setting up and breaking down tables and chairs, checking inventory, cleaning, etc.

    - Be courteous, friendly, and hospitable toward event guests and co-workers

    - Attend pre-event meetings

    - Open and pour bottled wine and/or champagne for guests

    - Carry plates of food and/or drink on trays

    - Bus and set tables, as needed

    - Maintain an accurate cash drawer throughout your shift (if required) and be able to account for any and all discrepancies in the final drawer tally

    - Setup and breakdown of food buffets and unique stations

    - Communicate guest, client, and staff feedback to event captain in a concise and timely manner

    - Anticipate guest and host needs, respond promptly, and acknowledge all guests in a friendly manner

    - Ensure compliance with safety standards and company policies and procedures

    - Maintain and exemplify high-level service standards and requirements for events complete all setup work and breakdown work, as supervised by the captain prior to departure

    - Communicate event changes and modification efficiently to Event Captain as they arise throughout events

    - Identify situations that compromise the company’s reputation and brand image

    - Maintain clean appearance, groomed and clean and pressed uniform

    - Ensure replenishment of items as specified on stations, passing trays, buffets, etc. a requested and/or needed

    - Perform final site inspection with event captain to make sure that closing duties have been completed and that site is left clean

    - Monitor and handle all guest complaints through acknowledgment and pacification.

    - Elevate any serious problem or guest complaint to the Event Captain right away to mitigate consequences

    - Follow all relevant Buffalo Rose policies and procedures outlined in the Employee Handbook Perform other duties as assigned

    **Tools & Technology**

    - Point-of-Sale systems such as Toast

    - Mobile phone applications such as 7Shifts,etc.

    - Email

    **Requirements**

    - 21 years of age or older

    - High school graduate or equivalent

    - Minimum 2 years experience in restaurant service, etc., experience in banquets a plus

    - Nights and weekends required

    - TIPS certification

    - Basic computer skills Fluent in English

    **Essential Qualifications**

    - Strong customer service skills - an individual that understands what it means to go above and beyond to make a guest happy.

    - Attention to detail - it’s often the minor details that go overlooked. Those are the details that can take an event from good to extraordinary. We are looking for someone who understands the importance of those details and takes a proactive approach to ensure those details are attended to.

    - Speaking skills - as the main contact with the guests, you must be able to speak with the guests/hosts with confidence about the food products you are presenting. You must be a PEOPLE PERSON!

    - Stamina - As an Event Server, shifts will often be long and tiring. You should be able to work long hours on your feet, lift heavy objects (up to 50 lbs), and be ready to do it all again the next day.

    **Physical Demands**

    This position requires an individual that will regularly lift/push/pull up to 50 lbs. You must also have the ability to reach with hands and arms in any direction and kneel and stoop repeatedly. You must have the ability to work on your feet for long periods of time being very active (6-8 hours).

  5. Post your job

    To find banquet servers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any banquet servers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level banquet servers with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your banquet server job on Zippia to find and recruit banquet server candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting banquet servers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new banquet server

    Once you've selected the best banquet server candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a banquet server?

There are different types of costs for hiring banquet servers. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new banquet server employee.

The median annual salary for banquet servers is $29,017 in the US. However, the cost of banquet server hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a banquet server for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $9 and $19 an hour.

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