Cafeteria server vs counter helper

The differences between cafeteria servers and counter helpers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a counter helper has an average salary of $31,028, which is higher than the $29,674 average annual salary of a cafeteria server.

The top three skills for a cafeteria server include clean kitchen, quality customer service and portion control. The most important skills for a counter helper are POS, customer service, and food orders.

Cafeteria server vs counter helper overview

	Cafeteria Server	Counter Helper
Yearly salary	$29,674	$31,028
Hourly rate	$14.27	$14.92
Growth rate	14%	14%
Number of jobs	74,546	84,190
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	23	23
Years of experience	-	-

Cafeteria server vs counter helper salary

Cafeteria servers and counter helpers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Cafeteria Server	Counter Helper
Average salary	$29,674	$31,028
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $37,000	Between $23,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Vancouver, WA
Highest paying state	-	Maine
Best paying company	-	The George Washington University
Best paying industry	-	Hospitality

Differences between cafeteria server and counter helper education

There are a few differences between a cafeteria server and a counter helper in terms of educational background:

	Cafeteria Server	Counter Helper
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Cafeteria server vs counter helper demographics

Here are the differences between cafeteria servers' and counter helpers' demographics:

	Cafeteria Server	Counter Helper
Average age	23	23
Gender ratio	Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3%	Male, 26.7% Female, 73.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between cafeteria server and counter helper duties and responsibilities

Cafeteria server example responsibilities.

Manage event reservations and party requests, inform customers about upcoming events and specials.
Establish a positive relationship with co-workers and managers through a solid work ethic, positive attitude, punctuality and dependability.
Develop credibility and confidence with VIP guests by maintaining confidentiality and complying with company standards.

Counter helper example responsibilities.

Require to use mental math when counting back change to the customer.
Assist customers, serve drinks and food, run the cash register and clean.
Communicate clearly and positively with co-workers and management.
Monitor guest for intoxication and immediately report concerns to management.
Replace or attach bar code labels on every ammunition containers for identification and location.
Develop leadership skills by mentoring new employees, prioritizing and delegating tasks.

Cafeteria server vs counter helper skills

Common cafeteria server skills

Clean Kitchen, 37%
Quality Customer Service, 21%
Portion Control, 14%
Food Products, 8%
Service Line, 7%
Kitchen Equipment, 7%

Common counter helper skills

POS, 19%
Customer Service, 12%
Food Orders, 12%
Customer Satisfaction, 7%
Customer Complaints, 6%
Steam Tables, 5%

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Cafeteria Server vs Counter Helper

Updated January 8, 2025

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