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Bar back vs room service server

The differences between bar backs and room service servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a room service server has an average salary of $26,717, which is higher than the $25,316 average annual salary of a bar back.

The top three skills for a bar back include BARS, wine and cleanliness. The most important skills for a room service server are guest rooms, beverage orders, and in-room.

Bar back vs room service server overview

Bar BackRoom Service Server
Yearly salary$25,316$26,717
Hourly rate$12.17$12.84
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs56,369144,551
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%High School Diploma, 34%
Average age3939
Years of experience--

What does a bar back do?

A bar back performs various support tasks in restaurants and other dining establishments. They may assist bartenders and other staff by taking orders, serving drinks, monitoring inventories, re-stocking supplies, discarding the trash, and maintaining the cleanliness of different areas. They may also participate in opening and closing the establishment, replenishing items such as napkins and garnishes, conducting regular maintenance checks, and performing basic maintenance repairs as necessary. Moreover, as a bar back, it is essential to maintain an open communication line with co-workers, coordinating to maintain an efficient workflow.

What does a room service server do?

A room service server is an employee employed in a hotel or lodging to provide various services to the room occupants in the hotel. They often deliver ordered food, drinks, or movies to the occupants' rooms. Their duties and responsibilities include delivery of ordered foods or drinks, taking orders, collecting dirty dishes from rooms, and maintaining supplies and orders.

Bar back vs room service server salary

Bar backs and room service servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Bar BackRoom Service Server
Average salary$25,316$26,717
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $33,000Between $18,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYPortland, ME
Highest paying stateNew YorkMaine
Best paying companyEl Camino High SchoolBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Best paying industryFinanceHospitality

Differences between bar back and room service server education

There are a few differences between a bar back and a room service server in terms of educational background:

Bar BackRoom Service Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%High School Diploma, 34%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Bar back vs room service server demographics

Here are the differences between bar backs' and room service servers' demographics:

Bar BackRoom Service Server
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 89.0% Female, 11.0%Male, 51.8% Female, 48.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 6.4% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 7.4% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between bar back and room service server duties and responsibilities

Bar back example responsibilities.

  • Manage bar revenues/process orders on computerize POS system.
  • Serve as bar-back to staff bartenders.
  • Plan out the seating chart and organize the bar reservations.
  • Bar back and run food for this company in Tallahassee during college.
  • Clean tables and run food to tables while ensuring a good customer experience.
  • Charge with replenishing and cleaning keg coolers, liquor pump rooms and CO2 area.
  • Show more

Room service server example responsibilities.

  • Clean and defrost mini bars regularly.
  • Train, maintain and enforce all Marriott service standards using use records, menus and appropriate reference materials.
  • Perform various financial activities such as cash and credit card processing, daily revenue reports, bank deposits, and payroll.
  • Assist in weekly payroll and scheduling responsibilities.
  • Establish a positive relationship with co-workers and managers through a solid work ethic, positive attitude, punctuality and dependability.
  • Build relationships with guests -help prepare for restaurant opening -Maintain restaurant at all times -Persuasive- positive use of upselling techniques

Bar back vs room service server skills

Common bar back skills
  • BARS, 26%
  • Wine, 24%
  • Cleanliness, 21%
  • Bar-Back, 13%
  • Excellent Guest, 2%
  • Fresh Fruit, 2%
Common room service server skills
  • Guest Rooms, 8%
  • Beverage Orders, 8%
  • In-Room, 6%
  • Cash Handling, 6%
  • Guest Service, 6%
  • Cleanliness, 6%

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