Counter server vs server

The differences between counter servers and 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 $29,901 average annual salary of a server.

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

Counter server vs server overview

	Counter Server	Server
Yearly salary	$32,460	$29,901
Hourly rate	$15.61	$14.38
Growth rate	14%	10%
Number of jobs	85,069	162,734
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age	23	28
Years of experience	-	-

Counter server vs server salary

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

	Counter Server	Server
Average salary	$32,460	$29,901
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $43,000	Between $21,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	-	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	-	New York
Best paying company	-	Dell
Best paying industry	-	Hospitality

Differences between counter server and server education

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

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

Counter server vs server demographics

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

	Counter Server	Server
Average age	23	28
Gender ratio	Male, 28.0% Female, 72.0%	Male, 32.0% Female, 68.0%
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, 12.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 8.2% White, 54.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	8%	6%

Differences between counter server and 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.

Server example responsibilities.

Manage expediter window paying close attention to garnishes and presentation.
Provide exceptional customer service, while frequently checking for food allergies, by utilizing excellent communication and multitasking skills.
Maximize profits by upselling food and alcoholic beverages and utilizing excellent customer service skills to ensure guests repeat business.
Clean bars, work areas, and tables.
Provide exceptional service to guests with charm, professionalism, respect, and bright personality.
Embrace serving on a more personal level due the quaint, small-town charm of the location.

Counter server vs server skills

Common counter server skills

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

Common server skills

Wine, 15%
Customer Service, 10%
Guest Satisfaction, 8%
Cleanliness, 7%
Cash Handling, 7%
POS, 6%

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Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Counter Server
Counter Server vs Server

Updated January 8, 2025

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