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Bar waiter/waitress vs cocktail server

The differences between bar waiter/waitresses and cocktail servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cocktail server has an average salary of $26,178, which is higher than the $24,853 average annual salary of a bar waiter/waitress.

The top three skills for a bar waiter/waitress include food handling, customer service and drink orders. The most important skills for a cocktail server are wine, cash handling, and beverage orders.

Bar waiter/waitress vs cocktail server overview

Bar Waiter/WaitressCocktail Server
Yearly salary$24,853$26,178
Hourly rate$11.95$12.59
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs68,74974,674
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Average age2828
Years of experience--

Bar waiter/waitress vs cocktail server salary

Bar waiter/waitresses and cocktail servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Bar Waiter/WaitressCocktail Server
Average salary$24,853$26,178
Salary rangeBetween $16,000 And $38,000Between $16,000 And $42,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaWashington
Best paying companyCompass Group USAAspen Snowmass
Best paying industryHospitalityMedia

Differences between bar waiter/waitress and cocktail server education

There are a few differences between a bar waiter/waitress and a cocktail server in terms of educational background:

Bar Waiter/WaitressCocktail Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Bar waiter/waitress vs cocktail server demographics

Here are the differences between bar waiter/waitresses' and cocktail servers' demographics:

Bar Waiter/WaitressCocktail Server
Average age2828
Gender ratioMale, 38.0% Female, 62.0%Male, 13.0% Female, 87.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 8.2% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 8.1% White, 51.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between bar waiter/waitress and cocktail server duties and responsibilities

Bar waiter/waitress example responsibilities.

  • Set up, work in, and manage the private room events as both bartender and waiter.
  • Extend exceptional customer service to bar customers while maintaining hotel standards and Colorado state laws associate with bartending.
  • Handle cash money and POS machine.
  • Learned and used the cash register point of sale (POS) computer system/handle money.
  • Work in the kitchen as a grill cook, utilizing deep fryers and ovens as well.
  • Table service, bartending periodically, expediting & running food, at a very fast pace due to the volume.
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Cocktail server example responsibilities.

  • Ensure club cleanliness and provide amazing customer service to every individual.
  • Experience handling money and using a cash register, as well as the micros systems.
  • Take customers' orders and input into POS, run food, bus tables, help other servers as needed.
  • Provide a fun, safe and friendly atmosphere for customers, while providing excellent service serving cocktails, wine and beer.
  • Greet guests, take orders, correctly enter food and beverages into POS terminal, and ensure efficient delivery of both.
  • Fluctuate between all shifts and floors, assist in bartending, and becoming a top selling server within a few months.
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Bar waiter/waitress vs cocktail server skills

Common bar waiter/waitress skills
  • Food Handling, 50%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Drink Orders, 10%
  • Exceptional Dining, 3%
  • Waiter, 2%
  • Food Orders, 2%
Common cocktail server skills
  • Wine, 13%
  • Cash Handling, 7%
  • Beverage Orders, 6%
  • Cleanliness, 6%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%

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