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How to hire a cashier and waiter/waitress

Cashier and waiter/waitress hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring cashiers and waiter/waitress in the United States:

  • There are currently 412,480 cashiers and waiter/waitress in the US, as well as 71,959 job openings.
  • Cashiers and waiter/waitress are in the highest demand in New York, NY, with 5 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire a cashier and waiter/waitress is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new cashier and waiter/waitress to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a cashier and waiter/waitress, step by step

To hire a cashier and waiter/waitress, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a cashier and waiter/waitress:

Here's a step-by-step cashier and waiter/waitress hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a cashier and waiter/waitress job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new cashier and waiter/waitress
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a cashier and waiter/waitress, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a cashier and waiter/waitress to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a cashier and waiter/waitress that fits the bill.

    The following list breaks down different types of cashiers and waiter/waitress and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Cashier And Waiter/WaitressDescriptionHourly rate
    Cashier And Waiter/WaitressWaiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and beverages to customers in dining establishments.$8-15
    Fine Dining ServerFine dining servers the people who make your stay at a restaurant enjoyable. They deliver well-written orders for the kitchen to prepare and bring your food and beverage... Show more$10-22
    Restaurant ServerAlso called food servers, restaurant servers perform food preparation, cleaning duties, and customer service in casual dining eateries and restaurants. The food servers stock supplies, handle credit cards and the cash register, and clean restaurant counters and tables... Show more$7-17
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Food Handling
    • Customer Complaints
    • Food Orders
    • Customer Payments
    • POS
    • Food Preparation
    • Fine Dining
    • Sales Taxes
    • Credit Card Machines
    • To-Go Orders
    • Order Slips
    • Clean Tables
    • Debit Card Transactions
    • Financial Institutions
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Develop relationships with regular patrons; develop an understanding of their personal needs and expectations, including preferences and food allergies.
    • Service of drinks, cocktails and food in a busy, members only VIP environment.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your cashier and waiter/waitress job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A cashier and waiter/waitress salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, cashiers and waiter/waitress' average salary in oklahoma is 46% less than in district of columbia.
    • Seniority. Entry-level cashiers and waiter/waitress earn 47% less than senior-level cashiers and waiter/waitress.
    • Certifications. A cashier and waiter/waitress with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a cashier and waiter/waitress's salary.

    Average cashier and waiter/waitress salary

    $11.59hourly

    $24,098 yearly

    Entry-level cashier and waiter/waitress salary
    $17,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 29, 2025
  4. Writing a cashier and waiter/waitress job description

    A cashier and waiter/waitress job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a cashier and waiter/waitress job description:

    Cashier and waiter/waitress job description example

    This serving position earns a competitive wage starting at $2.13 per hour plus tips and then increases to $2.50 per hour plus tips after four months. Some shifts offer $7.25 per hour plus tips depending on the schedule. We provide great benefits , including medical, dental, vision, and paid vacation time for full-time team members . We are also providing our team with a new discount program that offers discounts on travel, gyms, cell phones, restaurants, auto purchases, apparel, and electronics . Additionally, our team members get free shift meals . If this sounds like the right full- or part-time food service opportunity for you, apply today!


    ABOUT IHOP

    Since 1958, IHOP has been the place where people can connect over breakfast, enjoy study breaks, grab a bite to eat before or after sporting events, and so much more. No matter what menu items our customers order, one ingredient is always a constant - a smile. In fact, smiles are so much a part of our culture that we changed our logo to include one. We know the shortest distance between two people is a smile. Our values of integrity, excellence, innovation, accountability, inclusion, trust, and community are ingrained in everything that we do, ensuring our customers always receive the highest quality of service.

    When you work for IHOP restaurants, we encourage you to "be the pancake you wish to see in the world." Our team members are more than just traditional employees. They help create smiles for the future with their warm and friendly service. To show our appreciation for all the hard work that our employees do, we promote a supportive work environment that encourages building lifelong friendships and offers opportunities for professional growth .


    A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SERVER / WAITER / WAITRESS

    In this food service position, you play a huge part in the experience each customer has at our restaurant! As guests come in you warmly greet them, promptly take orders, and follow up to ensure exceptional customer service. Your awareness serves you well as you refill drinks and clear dishes at appropriate times. In addition to serving-related tasks, you perform other responsibilities like cleaning and presetting tables, stocking, and practicing superior cash handling standards when collecting payments.

    Your problem-solving skills come in handy when you need to rectify guest complaints, and you always promptly notify the management of these situations. Whether you're interacting with customers or coworkers, you always behave in a professional manner and follow uniform guidelines. Overall, you love working with lots of different people and having the opportunity to be an important part of the team !


    QUALIFICATIONS FOR A SERVER / WAITER / WAITRESS

    • Ability to be on your feet for long periods of time and lift up to 25 lbs.
    • Exceptional customer service skills

    Experience with computers is preferred but is not required. Are you adaptable and able to work well under pressure? Can you effectively prioritize multiple tasks? Do you have solid interpersonal and communication skills? Can you represent our company in a professional manner? Are you service-oriented? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment? Are you a team player and willing to help out wherever you're needed? If yes, you might just be perfect for this full- or part-time food service position!


    WORK SCHEDULE FOR A SERVER / WAITER / WAITRESS

    This serving position is full- or part-time and works a varied and flexible work schedule.


    ARE YOU READY TO JOIN OUR RESTAURANT SERVING TEAM?

    If you feel that you have the right serving skills for this full- or part-time food service job with our restaurant, please fill out our initial 3-minute, mobile-friendly application . We look forward to meeting you!

    Location: 37411

  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find cashiers and waiter/waitress for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your cashier and waiter/waitress job on Zippia to find and recruit cashier and waiter/waitress candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with cashier and waiter/waitress candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new cashier and waiter/waitress

    Once you've selected the best cashier and waiter/waitress candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new cashier and waiter/waitress. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a cashier and waiter/waitress?

There are different types of costs for hiring cashiers and waiter/waitress. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new cashier and waiter/waitress employee.

You can expect to pay around $24,098 per year for a cashier and waiter/waitress, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for cashiers and waiter/waitress in the US typically range between $8 and $15 an hour.

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