Cook/server vs line server

The differences between cook/servers and line servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cook/server has an average salary of $29,716, which is higher than the $28,300 average annual salary of a line server.

The top three skills for a cook/server include customer service, customer orders and safety standards. The most important skills for a line server are customer service, quality customer service, and exceptional guest.

Cook/server vs line server overview

	Cook/Server	Line Server
Yearly salary	$29,716	$28,300
Hourly rate	$14.29	$13.61
Growth rate	14%	14%
Number of jobs	257,582	246,165
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 52%	High School Diploma, 49%
Average age	23	23
Years of experience	-	-

What does a cook/server do?

Cooks/servers are employees who take on the dual role of being a cook and a server in the restaurant. They are usually trained cooks who are in charge of preparing meals for the guests. They prepare ingredients, cook them according to the recipe, and serve them to guests. They are responsible for ensuring that the food is prepared and served to guests within the promised time. They are in charge of managing the pantry, ensuring that the stock is fresh, and checking whether the stock is low. They are expected to have culinary skills, precision, and time management skills.

What does a line server do?

A line server is responsible for assisting the guests with their needs to ensure an overall satisfying dining experience with the highest quality service. Line servers take and verify guests' orders, provide recommendation for orders, respond to the guests' inquiries regarding the menu, manage the food preparation and serving, assist guests with additional requests, and ensure strict adherence to the sanitary standards and hygienic procedures at all times. Line servers must have excellent communication and time-management skills to interact with different guests and identify their dining needs.

Cook/server vs line server salary

Cook/servers and line servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Cook/Server	Line Server
Average salary	$29,716	$28,300
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $37,000	Between $21,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City	Bellingham, WA	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	The Harley School	-
Best paying industry	Retail	-

Differences between cook/server and line server education

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

	Cook/Server	Line Server
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 52%	High School Diploma, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Cook/server vs line server demographics

Here are the differences between cook/servers' and line servers' demographics:

	Cook/Server	Line Server
Average age	23	23
Gender ratio	Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1%	Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between cook/server and line server duties and responsibilities

Cook/server example responsibilities.

Develop ability to manage multiple stations simultaneously while maintaining high levels of culinary excellence.
Assist customers, bag groceries, replenish carts, and clean store.
Pay close attention to detail while multitasking between communicating over the intercom, utilizing the POS, and order placing.
Make smoothies, coffee, customer service, cashier, fill bakery cooler, inventory, stock, and clean!
Operate the filtration system used for the fryers to keep all sanitation guidelines up to standards as per the health department.
Operate, and maintain clean and safe cooking equipment like pressure cooker deep fryers, plate grills, and deep fryers.

Line server example responsibilities.

Customer-Orient fast food worker with deep experience with POS systems, food preparation and safety regulations.
Experience with making smoothies and hot beverages while making sure customers are satisfied.
Take food and drink orders and receive payment from customers, accurately process payment methods via POS system.
Establish a positive relationship with co-workers and managers through a solid work ethic, positive attitude, punctuality and dependability.
Operate a commercial dishwasher to clean and sanitize flatware, glassware, utensils, and pots and pans.
Set correct water temperature and correct amount of dish soap for dishwasher to ensure dishes are clean and sanitize.

Cook/server vs line server skills

Common cook/server skills

Customer Service, 41%
Customer Orders, 8%
Safety Standards, 6%
Food Preparation, 5%
Kitchen Equipment, 4%
POS, 4%

Common line server skills

Customer Service, 21%
Quality Customer Service, 20%
Exceptional Guest, 7%
Excellent Guest, 6%
Safety Standards, 4%
Food Safety, 3%

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Cook/Server vs Line Server

Updated January 8, 2025

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