Post job

Fast food server vs cafe associate

The differences between fast food servers and cafe associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a fast food server has an average salary of $30,266, which is higher than the $30,081 average annual salary of a cafe associate.

The top three skills for a fast food server include cleanliness, food orders and food handling. The most important skills for a cafe associate are safety standards, food service, and groceries.

Fast food server vs cafe associate overview

Fast Food ServerCafe Associate
Yearly salary$30,266$30,081
Hourly rate$14.55$14.46
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs182,81676,618
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 62%High School Diploma, 46%
Average age2323
Years of experience--

Fast food server vs cafe associate salary

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

Fast Food ServerCafe Associate
Average salary$30,266$30,081
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $38,000Between $24,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City-Concord, NH
Highest paying state-Oregon
Best paying company-Bertucci's
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between fast food server and cafe associate education

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

Fast Food ServerCafe Associate
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 62%High School Diploma, 46%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Fast food server vs cafe associate demographics

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

Fast Food ServerCafe Associate
Average age2323
Gender ratioMale, 45.4% Female, 54.6%Male, 30.4% Female, 69.6%
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 fast food server and cafe associate duties and responsibilities

Fast food server example responsibilities.

  • Describe menu items and daily specials in detail and provide recommendations including wine pairing options.
  • Preform equipment maintenance to ensure proper tolerances for precise mowing conditions.

Cafe associate example responsibilities.

  • tip counting and figuring for employees.
  • Prepare and serve specialty coffee drinks, smoothies and teas.
  • Better than average wine knowledge, both old and new world.
  • Train in all areas of retail including point of sale (POS), shipping and handling.
  • Enter all orders into the POS system accurately and efficiently.maintain a high level experience in a fast pace environment.
  • Maintain cleanliness around the department; also, communicate with members in a professional and respectful manner when assistance are needed.
  • Show more

Fast food server vs cafe associate skills

Common fast food server skills
  • Cleanliness, 33%
  • Food Orders, 24%
  • Food Handling, 9%
  • Safety Standards, 8%
  • Drive-Thru, 7%
  • Customer Complaints, 5%
Common cafe associate skills
  • Safety Standards, 32%
  • Food Service, 30%
  • Groceries, 13%
  • SAM, 7%
  • Dishwashers, 3%
  • Cleanliness, 1%

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs