How to hire a caterer/server

How to hire a caterer/server, step by step

Here's a step-by-step caterer/server hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a caterer/server, 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?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect caterer/server also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of caterer/servers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Caterer/Server	Description	Hourly rate
   Caterer/Server	Waiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and beverages to customers in dining establishments.	$11-22
   Waitstaff	The waitstaff takes responsibility for tasks like recommending dishes based on the tastes and preferences of guests, accepting payments, and taking orders. Waitstaff delivers food to tables, ensures outstanding guest experience, and accepts payments... Show more	$9-15
   Server And Hostess	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... Show more	$10-17

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Food Service
   • Wine
   • Exceptional Guest
   • Cleanliness
   • Work Ethic
   • Guest Satisfaction
   • Fine Dining
   • Sanitation Policies
   • Safety Standards
   • Customer Orders
   • Excellent Guest
   • Beverage Service
   • Bartending

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Experience caterer, providing services from assembling full-service buffets to serving guests at outside catering events and private parties at restaurants.
   • Handle cash and credit transactions accurately through the provided POS system
   • Perform accurate POS system transactions for in-seat patrons; beverage and alcohol orders.
   • Monitor and maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and organization of assign stations and service areas.
   • Experience training new employees, working as a server, service bartending, as well as catering large events.
   • Inventory control, stocking food and beverage trail, planning events, bartending, catering, and serving guest at parties.

   More caterer/server duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your caterer/server job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A caterer/server can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, caterer/servers' average salary in oklahoma is 50% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level caterer/servers 48% less than senior-level caterer/servers.
   • Certifications. A caterer/server with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a caterer/server's salary.

   Average caterer/server salary

   $16.22hourly

   $33,737 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level caterer/server salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

   Average caterer/server salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$47,964	$23
   2	New York	$43,239	$21
   3	California	$42,972	$21
   4	Massachusetts	$42,238	$20
   5	Colorado	$35,853	$17
   6	Missouri	$33,007	$16
   7	Illinois	$32,887	$16
   8	Michigan	$32,621	$16
   9	Wisconsin	$31,152	$15
   10	Florida	$29,051	$14
   11	Virginia	$28,774	$14
   12	Georgia	$28,320	$14
   13	Texas	$27,516	$13
   14	Pennsylvania	$27,142	$13
   15	Indiana	$24,039	$12

   Average caterer/server salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Lunds & Byerlys	$41,936	$20.16	2
   2	Milwaukee Art Museum	$41,758	$20.08
   3	Rich Products	$41,729	$20.06	2
   4	McMenamins Pubs & Breweries	$38,840	$18.67	4
   5	Erickson Senior Living	$38,344	$18.43	6
   6	ZeroCater	$37,290	$17.93
   7	Foxtail Foods	$36,899	$17.74
   8	Rutgers University	$35,741	$17.18	1
   9	Root Insurance	$34,236	$16.46
   10	Sodexo Management, Inc.	$32,809	$15.77	266
   11	Blue Crew Holdings LLC	$32,214	$15.49
   12	The Walt Disney Company	$31,895	$15.33	11
   13	Sifted	$31,866	$15.32	5
   14	Del Monte Electric Co.	$31,863	$15.32	6
   15	Remote	$31,844	$15.31
   16	HUNGRY	$31,656	$15.22
   17	NANA	$31,280	$15.04	3
   18	Alterra Mountain	$31,087	$14.95
   19	Pedestal Foods	$30,516	$14.67
   20	Proof of the Pudding	$30,386	$14.61

4. Writing a caterer/server job description

   A caterer/server 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. Below, you can find an example of a caterer/server job description:

   Caterer/server job description example

   -$250 SIGN ON BONUS

   -$250 REFERAL BONUS

   As a Catering Server you will work as a member of the wait staff for catered events and weddings.
   Duties will include setting up guest tables and buffet areas for service; during service, you will accommodate all guests and will be responsible for replenishing buffet food, refilling beverages, removing dirty dishes from tables and assisting in additional tasks assigned by the Catering Supervisor, to help facilitate a smooth and efficient experience.
   
   GUEST EXPERIENCE
   Consistently provides an unmatched guest experience
   Leads by example in all aspects of guest engagement
   Addresses guest concerns proactively with humility, ownership, and poise
   Values feedback and relays openly and honestly to appropriate parties
   Community engaged and builds relationships with customers and local organizations
   
   EVENTS
   Duties as assigned (bartender, wait staff, FOH, BOH, etc.)
   Efficiently sets up and breaks down all equipment needed for events (tables, buffets, etc.)
   Ensures that guests have access to allotted food and drink (replenish as appropriate)
   Keeps all guest areas tidy and presentable (remove dirty dishes from tables, etc.)
   Actively communicates with supervisors before, during, and after events
   
   SERVE
   Ensures all orders are taken and delivered to customer quickly, accurately, politely, and enthusiastically
   Serves the team and assists with opening and closing tasks as necessary
   Works in tandem with catering supervisors, Account Executives and Culinary staff to ensure smooth operation
   
   CLIENT RELATIONS
   Maintain client satisfaction at a level that ensures account retention
   Maintain positive guest relations at all times, resolving any issues that arise
   Anticipate needs in advance, creating solutions and ensuring guest experience is flawless
   Ensure client communication is effective in all areas

   Requirements

   
   -Must have reliable transportation
   -Must be available weekends and evenings

   -Must be able to be flexible with changes on site at events

   -Must be able to stand, walk, bend, reach, stretch, crouch, twist and turn during all hours of each shift
   -Must be able to use hands to handle, squeeze, grasp, lift, move and feel
   -Must be able to reach with hands and arms between 6-72 inches; talk and hear from far away and in close proximity
   -Must be able to climb, balance, stoop, kneel and crouch while also being able to lift and move up to at least 30 pounds, but occasionally up to 50 or more pounds

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right caterer/server for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your caterer/server job on Zippia to find and recruit caterer/server candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with caterer/server 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 caterer/server

   Once you've decided on a perfect caterer/server candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new caterer/server first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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