Post job

Cook and waitress/waiter vs lead server

The differences between cook and waitresses/waiter and lead servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead server has an average salary of $28,677, which is higher than the $27,271 average annual salary of a cook and waitress/waiter.

The top three skills for a cook and waitress/waiter include food handling, customer service and waiter. The most important skills for a lead server are customer service, new servers, and fine dining.

Cook and waitress/waiter vs lead server overview

Cook And Waitress/WaiterLead Server
Yearly salary$27,271$28,677
Hourly rate$13.11$13.79
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs268,608123,215
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age2828
Years of experience--

Cook and waitress/waiter vs lead server salary

Cook and waitresses/waiter and lead servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cook And Waitress/WaiterLead Server
Average salary$27,271$28,677
Salary rangeBetween $20,000 And $36,000Between $11,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Microsoft
Best paying industry-Hospitality

Differences between cook and waitress/waiter and lead server education

There are a few differences between a cook and waitress/waiter and a lead server in terms of educational background:

Cook And Waitress/WaiterLead Server
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Cook and waitress/waiter vs lead server demographics

Here are the differences between cook and waitresses/waiter' and lead servers' demographics:

Cook And Waitress/WaiterLead Server
Average age2828
Gender ratioMale, 74.8% Female, 25.2%Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 8.7% White, 54.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 8.7% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between cook and waitress/waiter and lead server duties and responsibilities

Cook and waitress/waiter example responsibilities.

  • Enter orders into a POS system to be send to the kitchen.
  • Assist in cashier duties using POS system to make all monetary transactions of food items.
  • 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.

Lead server example responsibilities.

  • Establish payroll policies and manage multiple areas of restaurant operations.
  • Manage technical support, business analysis, project management, application development and support, training, and facilitation.
  • Provide leadership to crew and shift managers guaranteeing great quality, customer service and cleanliness according to the public health code.
  • Train new employees on police, procedures, and micros system.
  • Take orders from customers, input orders into micros, and obtain payment and provide change.
  • Execute bartending duties and prepare service bar drinks (wine tasting flights, glass pours, cocktails, etc . )
  • Show more

Cook and waitress/waiter vs lead server skills

Common cook and waitress/waiter skills
  • Food Handling, 58%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Waiter, 5%
  • Food Orders, 3%
  • Food Service, 2%
  • Food Preparation, 2%
Common lead server skills
  • Customer Service, 22%
  • New Servers, 11%
  • Fine Dining, 9%
  • POS, 7%
  • Food Service, 6%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 4%

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs