Fast food cashier vs cook/server

The differences between fast food cashiers and cook/servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a fast food cashier has an average salary of $31,913, which is higher than the $29,716 average annual salary of a cook/server.

The top three skills for a fast food cashier include cash handling, basic math and math. The most important skills for a cook/server are customer service, customer orders, and safety standards.

Fast food cashier vs cook/server overview

	Fast Food Cashier	Cook/Server
Yearly salary	$31,913	$29,716
Hourly rate	$15.34	$14.29
Growth rate	14%	14%
Number of jobs	249,916	257,582
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 52%
Average age	23	23
Years of experience	-	-

Fast food cashier vs cook/server salary

Fast food cashiers and cook/servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Fast Food Cashier	Cook/Server
Average salary	$31,913	$29,716
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $39,000	Between $23,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City	-	Bellingham, WA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	The Harley School
Best paying industry	-	Retail

Differences between fast food cashier and cook/server education

There are a few differences between a fast food cashier and a cook/server in terms of educational background:

	Fast Food Cashier	Cook/Server
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 52%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Fast food cashier vs cook/server demographics

Here are the differences between fast food cashiers' and cook/servers' demographics:

	Fast Food Cashier	Cook/Server
Average age	23	23
Gender ratio	Male, 28.4% Female, 71.6%	Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1%
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, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between fast food cashier and cook/server duties and responsibilities

Fast food cashier example responsibilities.

Insure the cleanliness of the food line and the restaurant front line area to include the lobby and entry way.
Cook, clean, take orders on the cash register and drive-thru, handle monetary transactions and provide customer service.
Work with accuracy and quick math skills.
Used math and language skills daily at cash register
Prepare food in accordance with Wendy's corporate guidelines.
Collect monies due or apply charges to credit card or guest account using POS terminal.

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.

Fast food cashier vs cook/server skills

Common fast food cashier skills

Cash Handling, 17%
Basic Math, 15%
Math, 14%
Customer Service, 9%
POS, 8%
Cleanliness, 6%

Common cook/server skills

Customer Service, 41%
Customer Orders, 8%
Safety Standards, 6%
Food Preparation, 5%
Kitchen Equipment, 4%
POS, 4%

Fast Food Cashier vs. similar jobs

Fast Food Cashier related careers

Fast Food Cashier related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Fast Food Cashier
Fast Food Cashier vs Cook/Server

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs