Post job

Crew member vs cook/server

The differences between crew members and cook/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 $28,946 average annual salary of a crew member.

The top three skills for a crew member include cleanliness, basic math and english language. The most important skills for a cook/server are customer service, customer orders, and safety standards.

Crew member vs cook/server overview

Crew MemberCook/Server
Yearly salary$28,946$29,716
Hourly rate$13.92$14.29
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs239,413257,582
Job satisfaction44
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 52%
Average age2323
Years of experience--

What does a crew member do?

Crew members assist in the overall daily operations of a business, including restaurants, hotels, resorts, and other industries needing a large workforce. Crew members' duties include attending on a customer's needs, processing payments, taking orders, and handling sanitation services. Crew members should have excellent time-management skills and ability to multi-task, especially for the fast-paced operations. They must also adhere to the safety standards and procedures as required by the business. Crew members should also report incidents and escalate concerns from the clients to the management as needed.

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.

Crew member vs cook/server salary

Crew members and cook/servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Crew MemberCook/Server
Average salary$28,946$29,716
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $37,000Between $23,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WABellingham, WA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyThe Harley School
Best paying industryRetailRetail

Differences between crew member and cook/server education

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

Crew MemberCook/Server
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 52%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Crew member vs cook/server demographics

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

Crew MemberCook/Server
Average age2323
Gender ratioMale, 48.4% Female, 51.6%Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1%
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, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between crew member and cook/server duties and responsibilities

Crew member example responsibilities.

  • Manage food preparation, maintain cleanliness and punctuality while effectively support customers in daily transactions with suggestive selling methods.
  • Dig and fill holes, using shovels and rakes.
  • Cashier, server, greeter, order taker, sandwich maker, computer skil, math skil, customer service
  • Demonstrate excellent customer service in dealing with concerns and special food orders which include allergies and other customer wishes.
  • Cashier experience, service and enter orders into POS system; conduct inventory; and perform cash handling and food handling.
  • Use POS system to record order, compute bill, collect payments and make change while following all cash handling procedures.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Crew member vs cook/server skills

Common crew member skills
  • Cleanliness, 19%
  • Basic Math, 13%
  • English Language, 10%
  • Excellent Guest, 7%
  • Safety Standards, 7%
  • Food Products, 5%
Common cook/server skills
  • Customer Service, 41%
  • Customer Orders, 8%
  • Safety Standards, 6%
  • Food Preparation, 5%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 4%
  • POS, 4%

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs