Counter server vs counter clerk

The differences between counter servers and counter clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a counter server has an average salary of $32,460, which is higher than the $30,268 average annual salary of a counter clerk.

The top three skills for a counter server include food handling, excellent guest and basic math. The most important skills for a counter clerk are customer service, cleanliness, and basic math.

Counter server vs counter clerk overview

	Counter Server	Counter Clerk
Yearly salary	$32,460	$30,268
Hourly rate	$15.61	$14.55
Growth rate	14%	-10%
Number of jobs	85,069	75,025
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	High School Diploma, 40%
Average age	23	43
Years of experience	-	-

Counter server vs counter clerk salary

Counter servers and counter clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Counter Server	Counter Clerk
Average salary	$32,460	$30,268
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $43,000	Between $25,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City	-	New York, NY
Highest paying state	-	Vermont
Best paying company	-	Steel Dynamics
Best paying industry	-	Transportation

Differences between counter server and counter clerk education

There are a few differences between a counter server and a counter clerk in terms of educational background:

	Counter Server	Counter Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	High School Diploma, 40%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Counter server vs counter clerk demographics

Here are the differences between counter servers' and counter clerks' demographics:

	Counter Server	Counter Clerk
Average age	23	43
Gender ratio	Male, 28.0% Female, 72.0%	Male, 31.3% Female, 68.7%
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, 10.1% Unknown, 7.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 5.6% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	8%	4%

Differences between counter server and counter clerk duties and responsibilities

Counter server example responsibilities.

Answer telephones and enter orders into POS system.
Operate POS terminal to process customers' orders, swipe credit cards, and enter cash amounts.
Provide guests with an excellent dining experience by asking questions about allergies or preferences and initiating conversation for customer confidence.
Prepare some salads, shakes, smoothies, and juices.
Monitor guest for intoxication and immediately report concerns to management.

Counter clerk example responsibilities.

Conduct routine inspections and manage mechanics payroll data utilizing ADP.
Record all sales transactions on POS and accurately process cash, and credit card transactions.
Preform end of day close out, including POS, cash count and inventory management.
Maintain shop cleanliness and inventory levels.
Maintain cleanliness according to sanitation requirements.
Register patients for medical services--operate switchboard--perform additional administrative support tasks for supervisory staff as needed.

Counter server vs counter clerk skills

Common counter server skills

Food Handling, 24%
Excellent Guest, 19%
Basic Math, 14%
Wine, 9%
Cash Handling, 6%
Culinary, 6%

Common counter clerk skills

Customer Service, 22%
Cleanliness, 9%
Basic Math, 9%
Cash Handling, 9%
Sales Floor, 7%
Food Preparation, 6%

Counter Server vs. similar jobs

Counter Server related careers

Counter Server related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Counter Server
Counter Server vs Counter Clerk

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs