Post job

Bar waiter/waitress vs cocktail waitress

The differences between bar waiter/waitresses and cocktail waitresses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cocktail waitress has an average salary of $26,819, 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 waitress are customer service, drink orders, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Bar waiter/waitress vs cocktail waitress overview

Bar Waiter/WaitressCocktail Waitress
Yearly salary$24,853$26,819
Hourly rate$11.95$12.89
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs68,74977,429
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age2828
Years of experience--

Bar waiter/waitress vs cocktail waitress salary

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

Bar Waiter/WaitressCocktail Waitress
Average salary$24,853$26,819
Salary rangeBetween $16,000 And $38,000Between $19,000 And $36,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DC-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyCompass Group USA-
Best paying industryHospitality-

Differences between bar waiter/waitress and cocktail waitress education

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

Bar Waiter/WaitressCocktail Waitress
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Bar waiter/waitress vs cocktail waitress demographics

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

Bar Waiter/WaitressCocktail Waitress
Average age2828
Gender ratioMale, 38.0% Female, 62.0%Male, 5.7% Female, 94.3%
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, 21.6% Asian, 7.8% White, 53.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between bar waiter/waitress and cocktail waitress 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.
  • Show more

Cocktail waitress example responsibilities.

  • Offer first--class customer service to ensure VIP guests enjoy their club experiences in very fast--pace environment.
  • Relay orders to bar and kitchen quickly and accurately recording guest selections and keying into the POS system.
  • Assist bar tenders in peak hours and cash out customers as they exit the restaurant (POS cash register system).
  • Serve customers alcoholic beverages and accommodate VIP and special requests
  • Establish a positive relationship with co-workers and managers through a solid work ethic, positive attitude, punctuality and dependability.
  • Uphold a high level of professionalism, service, and attentiveness to guests.

Bar waiter/waitress vs cocktail waitress 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 waitress skills
  • Customer Service, 29%
  • Drink Orders, 10%
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 8%
  • POS, 8%
  • Beverage Orders, 5%
  • Bartending, 4%

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs