Dishwasher/server vs cocktail server

The differences between dishwasher/servers and cocktail servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a dishwasher/server has an average salary of $28,063, which is higher than the $26,178 average annual salary of a cocktail server.

The top three skills for a dishwasher/server include wash dishes, customer service and clean kitchen. The most important skills for a cocktail server are wine, cash handling, and beverage orders.

Dishwasher/server vs cocktail server overview

	Dishwasher/Server	Cocktail Server
Yearly salary	$28,063	$26,178
Hourly rate	$13.49	$12.59
Growth rate	16%	10%
Number of jobs	92,239	74,674
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Average age	36	28
Years of experience	-	-

Dishwasher/server vs cocktail server salary

Dishwasher/servers and cocktail servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Dishwasher/Server	Cocktail Server
Average salary	$28,063	$26,178
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $35,000	Between $16,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Aspen Snowmass
Best paying industry	-	Media

Differences between dishwasher/server and cocktail server education

There are a few differences between a dishwasher/server and a cocktail server in terms of educational background:

	Dishwasher/Server	Cocktail Server
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Dishwasher/server vs cocktail server demographics

Here are the differences between dishwasher/servers' and cocktail servers' demographics:

	Dishwasher/Server	Cocktail Server
Average age	36	28
Gender ratio	Male, 66.6% Female, 33.4%	Male, 13.0% Female, 87.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 5.7% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%	Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 8.1% White, 51.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	5%	6%

Differences between dishwasher/server and cocktail server duties and responsibilities

Dishwasher/server example responsibilities.

Complete end-of-shift cleaning duties to maximize dining area cleanliness
Work from dishwasher to bartender performing various tasks to ensure customer satisfaction
Work BOH in a fast pace environment with food make to order as customers want it.

Cocktail server example responsibilities.

Ensure club cleanliness and provide amazing customer service to every individual.
Experience handling money and using a cash register, as well as the micros systems.
Take customers' orders and input into POS, run food, bus tables, help other servers as needed.
Provide a fun, safe and friendly atmosphere for customers, while providing excellent service serving cocktails, wine and beer.
Greet guests, take orders, correctly enter food and beverages into POS terminal, and ensure efficient delivery of both.
Fluctuate between all shifts and floors, assist in bartending, and becoming a top selling server within a few months.

Dishwasher/server vs cocktail server skills

Common dishwasher/server skills

Wash Dishes, 28%
Customer Service, 13%
Clean Kitchen, 12%
Fine Dining, 11%
Food Service, 8%
Dishwashers, 5%

Common cocktail server skills

Wine, 13%
Cash Handling, 7%
Beverage Orders, 6%
Cleanliness, 6%
Guest Satisfaction, 6%
Customer Service, 5%

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Dishwasher/Server
Dishwasher/Server vs Cocktail Server

Updated January 8, 2025

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