Fast food cashier vs food server

The differences between fast food cashiers and food 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 $25,209 average annual salary of a food server.

The top three skills for a fast food cashier include cash handling, basic math and math. The most important skills for a food server are beverage orders, wine, and cleanliness.

Fast food cashier vs food server overview

	Fast Food Cashier	Food Server
Yearly salary	$31,913	$25,209
Hourly rate	$15.34	$12.12
Growth rate	14%	9%
Number of jobs	249,916	125,455
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 36%
Average age	23	42
Years of experience	-	-

Fast food cashier vs food server salary

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

	Fast Food Cashier	Food Server
Average salary	$31,913	$25,209
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $39,000	Between $18,000 And $34,000
Highest paying City	-	Los Angeles, CA
Highest paying state	-	Vermont
Best paying company	-	Gettysburg College
Best paying industry	-	Retail

Differences between fast food cashier and food server education

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

	Fast Food Cashier	Food Server
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 36%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Fast food cashier vs food server demographics

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

	Fast Food Cashier	Food Server
Average age	23	42
Gender ratio	Male, 28.4% Female, 71.6%	Male, 36.0% Female, 64.0%
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, 4.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 8.7% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	8%	7%

Differences between fast food cashier and food 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.

Food server example responsibilities.

Manage expediter window paying close attention to garnishes and presentation.
Provide outstanding customer service by communicating clearly and effectively while maintaining the cleanliness and organization of the restaurant.
Serve tables in a busy caf /bar environment.
Handle all transactions, both in person and by headset in drive-thru.
Work the Drive-Thru counter assisting numerous customers at a fast and friendly pace.
Prepare and serve delicious espresso, coffee drinks, and smoothies according to memorize recipes.

Fast food cashier vs food server skills

Common fast food cashier skills

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

Common food server skills

Beverage Orders, 10%
Wine, 9%
Cleanliness, 9%
Customer Service, 9%
Guest Service, 6%
Cash Handling, 5%

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Fast Food Cashier
Fast Food Cashier vs Food Server

Updated January 8, 2025

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