Cocktail waitress vs room service server

The differences between cocktail waitresses and room service servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cocktail waitress has an average salary of $26,819, which is higher than the $26,717 average annual salary of a room service server.

The top three skills for a cocktail waitress include customer service, drink orders and non-alcoholic beverages. The most important skills for a room service server are guest rooms, beverage orders, and in-room.

Cocktail waitress vs room service server overview

	Cocktail Waitress	Room Service Server
Yearly salary	$26,819	$26,717
Hourly rate	$12.89	$12.84
Growth rate	10%	9%
Number of jobs	77,429	144,551
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	28	39
Years of experience	-	-

What does a cocktail waitress do?

A cocktail waitress, or often called a cocktail server, is a female server who serves alcoholic beverages and food to patrons in nightclubs and bars. Cocktail waitresses are required to interact with customers by taking their food orders, serving them food and drinks, and then processing payments. To serve proper alcoholic drinks to customers, cocktail waitresses must be well informed about the drinks they serve, such as wine, beer, and cocktails. They also assist in checking identification to ensure that customers are of legal age to buy alcoholic drinks.

What does a room service server do?

A room service server is an employee employed in a hotel or lodging to provide various services to the room occupants in the hotel. They often deliver ordered food, drinks, or movies to the occupants' rooms. Their duties and responsibilities include delivery of ordered foods or drinks, taking orders, collecting dirty dishes from rooms, and maintaining supplies and orders.

Cocktail waitress vs room service server salary

Cocktail waitresses and room service servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Cocktail Waitress	Room Service Server
Average salary	$26,819	$26,717
Salary range	Between $19,000 And $36,000	Between $18,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Portland, ME
Highest paying state	-	Maine
Best paying company	-	Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Best paying industry	-	Hospitality

Differences between cocktail waitress and room service server education

There are a few differences between a cocktail waitress and a room service server in terms of educational background:

	Cocktail Waitress	Room Service Server
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Cocktail waitress vs room service server demographics

Here are the differences between cocktail waitresses' and room service servers' demographics:

	Cocktail Waitress	Room Service Server
Average age	28	39
Gender ratio	Male, 5.7% Female, 94.3%	Male, 51.8% Female, 48.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 21.6% Asian, 7.8% White, 53.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 7.4% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between cocktail waitress and room service server duties and responsibilities

Cocktail waitress example responsibilities.

Offer first--class customer service to ensure VIP guests enjoy their club experiences in very fast--pace environment.
Relay orders to bar and kitchen quickly and accurately recording guest selections and keying into the POS system.
Assist bar tenders in peak hours and cash out customers as they exit the restaurant (POS cash register system).
Serve customers alcoholic beverages and accommodate VIP and special requests
Establish a positive relationship with co-workers and managers through a solid work ethic, positive attitude, punctuality and dependability.
Uphold a high level of professionalism, service, and attentiveness to guests.

Room service server example responsibilities.

Clean and defrost mini bars regularly.
Train, maintain and enforce all Marriott service standards using use records, menus and appropriate reference materials.
Perform various financial activities such as cash and credit card processing, daily revenue reports, bank deposits, and payroll.
Assist in weekly payroll and scheduling responsibilities.
Establish a positive relationship with co-workers and managers through a solid work ethic, positive attitude, punctuality and dependability.
Build relationships with guests -help prepare for restaurant opening -Maintain restaurant at all times -Persuasive- positive use of upselling techniques

Cocktail waitress vs room service server skills

Common cocktail waitress skills

Customer Service, 29%
Drink Orders, 10%
Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 8%
POS, 8%
Beverage Orders, 5%
Bartending, 4%

Common room service server skills

Guest Rooms, 8%
Beverage Orders, 8%
In-Room, 6%
Cash Handling, 6%
Guest Service, 6%
Cleanliness, 6%

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Cocktail Waitress vs Room Service Server

Updated January 8, 2025

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