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Bar waiter/waitress vs fine dining server

The differences between bar waiter/waitresses and fine dining servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a fine dining server has an average salary of $32,140, 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 fine dining server are wine, fine dining, and cleanliness.

Bar waiter/waitress vs fine dining server overview

Bar Waiter/WaitressFine Dining Server
Yearly salary$24,853$32,140
Hourly rate$11.95$15.45
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs68,74977,549
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age2828
Years of experience--

Bar waiter/waitress vs fine dining server salary

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

Bar Waiter/WaitressFine Dining Server
Average salary$24,853$32,140
Salary rangeBetween $16,000 And $38,000Between $21,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DC-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyCompass Group USA-
Best paying industryHospitality-

Differences between bar waiter/waitress and fine dining server education

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

Bar Waiter/WaitressFine Dining Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Bar waiter/waitress vs fine dining server demographics

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

Bar Waiter/WaitressFine Dining Server
Average age2828
Gender ratioMale, 38.0% Female, 62.0%Male, 39.6% Female, 60.4%
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, 11.4% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 8.2% White, 54.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between bar waiter/waitress and fine dining 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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Fine dining server example responsibilities.

  • Schedule and prioritize workload while managing multiple tasks as a representative of this distinctive establishment frequent by wine enthusiasts.
  • Maintain Microsoft windows base computer system.
  • Work closely with management to implement new organizational systems to facilitate efficient wine service and inventory.
  • Craft featured cocktails and signature drinks when bartending.
  • Inform chefs if guests have any allergies or other requests.
  • Maintain cleanliness of work areas, china, glass, etc., throughout the day.
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Bar waiter/waitress vs fine dining 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 fine dining server skills
  • Wine, 27%
  • Fine Dining, 24%
  • Cleanliness, 7%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Beverage Orders, 4%
  • POS, 4%

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