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Bar host vs server

The differences between bar hosts and servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a server has an average salary of $29,901, which is higher than the $24,113 average annual salary of a bar host.

The top three skills for a bar host include reservations, wine and guest satisfaction. The most important skills for a server are wine, customer service, and guest satisfaction.

Bar host vs server overview

Bar HostServer
Yearly salary$24,113$29,901
Hourly rate$11.59$14.38
Growth rate9%10%
Number of jobs82,035162,734
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age2328
Years of experience--

Bar host vs server salary

Bar hosts and servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Bar HostServer
Average salary$24,113$29,901
Salary rangeBetween $18,000 And $31,000Between $21,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Dell
Best paying industry-Hospitality

Differences between bar host and server education

There are a few differences between a bar host and a server in terms of educational background:

Bar HostServer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Bar host vs server demographics

Here are the differences between bar hosts' and servers' demographics:

Bar HostServer
Average age2328
Gender ratioMale, 71.1% Female, 28.9%Male, 32.0% Female, 68.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 5.8% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 8.2% White, 54.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage5%6%

Differences between bar host and server duties and responsibilities

Bar host example responsibilities.

  • Assist guests in booking reservations and manage guest history data using OpenTable reservation system.
  • Provide guests with an excellent dining experience by asking questions about allergies or preferences and initiating conversation for customer confidence.
  • Build relationships with guests -help prepare for restaurant opening -Maintain restaurant at all times -Persuasive- positive use of upselling techniques

Server example responsibilities.

  • Manage expediter window paying close attention to garnishes and presentation.
  • Provide exceptional customer service, while frequently checking for food allergies, by utilizing excellent communication and multitasking skills.
  • Maximize profits by upselling food and alcoholic beverages and utilizing excellent customer service skills to ensure guests repeat business.
  • Clean bars, work areas, and tables.
  • Provide exceptional service to guests with charm, professionalism, respect, and bright personality.
  • Embrace serving on a more personal level due the quaint, small-town charm of the location.
  • Show more

Bar host vs server skills

Common bar host skills
  • Reservations, 24%
  • Wine, 10%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 7%
  • POS, 7%
  • Cleanliness, 7%
  • Fine Dining, 6%
Common server skills
  • Wine, 15%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 8%
  • Cleanliness, 7%
  • Cash Handling, 7%
  • POS, 6%

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