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Cafeteria worker vs server and hostess

The differences between cafeteria workers and server and hostesses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a server and hostess has an average salary of $28,020, which is higher than the $24,465 average annual salary of a cafeteria worker.

The top three skills for a cafeteria worker include food handling, kitchen equipment and food preparation. The most important skills for a server and hostess are POS, food preparation, and food orders.

Cafeteria worker vs server and hostess overview

Cafeteria WorkerServer And Hostess
Yearly salary$24,465$28,020
Hourly rate$11.76$13.47
Growth rate9%10%
Number of jobs31,80297,109
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 39%
Average age3928
Years of experience--

What does a cafeteria worker do?

A cafeteria worker is responsible for taking and processing customer orders, ensuring the correct foods are served, providing them the satisfaction of their dining experience. Cafeteria workers maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the facilities, manage the adequacy of inventory stock supplies, coordinate with suppliers for deliveries, process payments, and help out the customers with their inquiries and concerns. A cafeteria worker should also assist the management in developing marketing techniques to boost revenues and increase profitability.

What does a server and hostess do?

A server and hostess is an employee who plays the dual role of both a hostess and a server. As implied by this, a server and hostess is in-charge of welcoming guests as they enter the restaurant, ensuring that the guests' tables are ready before leading them to their assigned tables, handing over the menu, and waiting for the guests to finalize their order. Once the guests are ready to order, the server and hostess takes on the server role by bringing the guests' order to the kitchen, waiting for the food to be ready, and bringing the food to the guests' table.

Cafeteria worker vs server and hostess salary

Cafeteria workers and server and hostesses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cafeteria WorkerServer And Hostess
Average salary$24,465$28,020
Salary rangeBetween $18,000 And $32,000Between $21,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityYuba City, CABinghamton, NY
Highest paying stateWashingtonNew York
Best paying companyJefferson Elementary School DistrictBlue Dolphin Energy
Best paying industryHospitalityHospitality

Differences between cafeteria worker and server and hostess education

There are a few differences between a cafeteria worker and a server and hostess in terms of educational background:

Cafeteria WorkerServer And Hostess
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 39%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Cafeteria worker vs server and hostess demographics

Here are the differences between cafeteria workers' and server and hostesses' demographics:

Cafeteria WorkerServer And Hostess
Average age3928
Gender ratioMale, 20.4% Female, 79.6%Male, 18.3% Female, 81.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 8.2% White, 53.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between cafeteria worker and server and hostess duties and responsibilities

Cafeteria worker example responsibilities.

  • Prepare food, operate dishwasher, manage salad bar, and cash out students, teachers, and faculty.
  • Clean grills, ovens, and stoves.
  • Help prepare food, set-up salad bars.
  • Set up and break down fryers and slicers.
  • Sanitize and clean equipment according to HACCP standards.
  • Sell food to student and operating the POS system.
  • Show more

Server and hostess example responsibilities.

  • Assist guests in booking reservations and manage guest history data using OpenTable reservation system.
  • Provide quality customer service, process customer transactions utilizing proprietary POS system, skillfully handle cash and credit card transactions.
  • Perform bartending duties during busy events or whenever require.
  • Coordinate with kitchen managerial staff using POS systems to ensure timely and accurate order preparation.
  • Provide guests with an excellent dining experience by asking questions about allergies or preferences and initiating conversation for customer confidence.
  • Manage expediter window paying close attention to garnishes and presentation.

Cafeteria worker vs server and hostess skills

Common cafeteria worker skills
  • Food Handling, 22%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 20%
  • Food Preparation, 16%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Dishwashers, 4%
  • Nutritious Meals, 3%
Common server and hostess skills
  • POS, 11%
  • Food Preparation, 10%
  • Food Orders, 9%
  • Customer Orders, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Drink Orders, 5%

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