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Counter server vs lead server

The differences between counter servers and lead servers 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 $28,677 average annual salary of a lead server.

The top three skills for a counter server include food handling, excellent guest and basic math. The most important skills for a lead server are customer service, new servers, and fine dining.

Counter server vs lead server overview

Counter ServerLead Server
Yearly salary$32,460$28,677
Hourly rate$15.61$13.79
Growth rate14%10%
Number of jobs85,069123,215
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age2328
Years of experience--

Counter server vs lead server salary

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

Counter ServerLead Server
Average salary$32,460$28,677
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $43,000Between $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 counter server and lead server education

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

Counter ServerLead Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Counter server vs lead server demographics

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

Counter ServerLead Server
Average age2328
Gender ratioMale, 28.0% Female, 72.0%Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5%
Race ratioBlack 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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 8.7% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%6%

Differences between counter server and lead server 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.

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

Counter server vs lead server skills

Common counter server skills
  • Food Handling, 24%
  • Excellent Guest, 19%
  • Basic Math, 14%
  • Wine, 9%
  • Cash Handling, 6%
  • Culinary, 6%
Common lead server skills
  • Customer Service, 22%
  • New Servers, 11%
  • Fine Dining, 9%
  • POS, 7%
  • Food Service, 6%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 4%

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