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The differences between cocktail servers and beverage servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cocktail server has an average salary of $26,178, which is higher than the $25,886 average annual salary of a beverage server.
The top three skills for a cocktail server include wine, cash handling and beverage orders. The most important skills for a beverage server are drink orders, guest service, and beverage orders.
| Cocktail Server | Beverage Server | |
| Yearly salary | $26,178 | $25,886 |
| Hourly rate | $12.59 | $12.45 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 74,674 | 79,100 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 28 | 28 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A cocktail server's responsibilities revolve around taking orders and serving drinks in a restaurant or similar establishment, ensuring accuracy and customer satisfaction. Aside from this, a cocktail server may have to process payments, clean tables, and even offer suggestions when necessary. They also have to be alert for any signs of disruptive behavior from intoxicated to underage customers. Furthermore, it is essential to communicate and coordinate with the bartender and other kitchen staff to ensure that every patron gets their order, especially on days when there's a high customer presence.
A beverage server specializes in mixing and preparing drinks, serving them to customers courteously. Their responsibilities also include greeting the customers, taking orders, answering inquiries, offering recommendations when necessary, and checking the customers' identification to confirm their ages. They may also provide assistance to managers by monitoring beverage inventories, receiving and unloading deliveries, organizing supplies and equipment, and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas. Moreover, as a beverage server, it is essential to have a clear communication line with co-workers for smooth work operations.
Cocktail servers and beverage servers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cocktail Server | Beverage Server | |
| Average salary | $26,178 | $25,886 |
| Salary range | Between $16,000 And $42,000 | Between $20,000 And $33,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | - |
| Highest paying state | Washington | - |
| Best paying company | Aspen Snowmass | - |
| Best paying industry | Media | - |
There are a few differences between a cocktail server and a beverage server in terms of educational background:
| Cocktail Server | Beverage Server | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between cocktail servers' and beverage servers' demographics:
| Cocktail Server | Beverage Server | |
| Average age | 28 | 28 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 13.0% Female, 87.0% | Male, 13.6% Female, 86.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 8.1% White, 51.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 8.3% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |