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Deli associate vs line server

The differences between deli associates and line servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a deli associate has an average salary of $28,360, which is higher than the $28,300 average annual salary of a line server.

The top three skills for a deli associate include food handling, basic math and customer service. The most important skills for a line server are customer service, quality customer service, and exceptional guest.

Deli associate vs line server overview

Deli AssociateLine Server
Yearly salary$28,360$28,300
Hourly rate$13.63$13.61
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs117,130246,165
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 49%
Average age2323
Years of experience--

What does a deli associate do?

A deli associate is personnel who works in grocery and deli stores and assists shoppers by responding to their inquiries and requests. He/She updates his/her product displays to ensure that new items and promotions are showcased and follow all food safety and sanitation. Aside from engaging with customers, deli associates must possess the ability to lift heavy objects and operates equipment such as cash registers and meat slicers. Also, deli associates' minimum educational requirement is a high school diploma, but experience in deli counter work is a plus.

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.

Deli associate vs line server salary

Deli associates and line servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Deli AssociateLine Server
Average salary$28,360$28,300
Salary rangeBetween $20,000 And $39,000Between $21,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between deli associate and line server education

There are a few differences between a deli associate and a line server in terms of educational background:

Deli AssociateLine Server
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Deli associate vs line server demographics

Here are the differences between deli associates' and line servers' demographics:

Deli AssociateLine Server
Average age2323
Gender ratioMale, 37.2% Female, 62.8%Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3%
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 deli associate and line server duties and responsibilities

Deli associate example responsibilities.

  • Open and close deli; schedule work hour coverage; manage and monitor deli cleanliness code; customer service.
  • Serve customers, stock shelves, cook food in fryers, slice deli meat, prepare food trays, close/open department
  • Bag groceries, and help customers out to their vehicles.
  • Pick and pack chosen items and ring them up in the POS system.
  • Train and assist employees in the use of proprietary POS software and hardware.
  • Season help pack groceries and work in the deli department packaging and prepare food for floor.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Deli associate vs line server skills

Common deli associate skills
  • Food Handling, 24%
  • Basic Math, 17%
  • Customer Service, 17%
  • Math, 10%
  • Food Safety, 7%
  • Slicers, 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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