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Food and beverage server vs lead server

The differences between food and beverage servers and lead servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead server has an average salary of $28,677, which is higher than the $27,465 average annual salary of a food and beverage server.

The top three skills for a food and beverage server include food service, wine and cleanliness. The most important skills for a lead server are customer service, new servers, and fine dining.

Food and beverage server vs lead server overview

Food And Beverage ServerLead Server
Yearly salary$27,465$28,677
Hourly rate$13.20$13.79
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs166,007123,215
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age2828
Years of experience--

Food and beverage server vs lead server salary

Food and beverage servers and lead servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Food And Beverage ServerLead Server
Average salary$27,465$28,677
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $34,000Between $11,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityAnaheim, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateWashingtonHawaii
Best paying companyTPC GroupMicrosoft
Best paying industryMediaHospitality

Differences between food and beverage server and lead server education

There are a few differences between a food and beverage server and a lead server in terms of educational background:

Food And Beverage ServerLead Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Food and beverage server vs lead server demographics

Here are the differences between food and beverage servers' and lead servers' demographics:

Food And Beverage ServerLead Server
Average age2828
Gender ratioMale, 30.0% Female, 70.0%Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 8.9% White, 51.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 8.7% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between food and beverage server and lead server duties and responsibilities

Food and beverage server example responsibilities.

  • Implement training of (service techniques, up-selling, food preparation, wine selections and excellent customer service).
  • Perform bartending and hosting duties as well as set-up for group events.
  • Advise on menu selection, accurately enter orders, settle checks using POS and ensure guests' experience.
  • Perform all duties of hotel food and beverage including: event management, serving, bartending, etc.
  • Enhance customer experience through spirits, wine knowledge, and recommendations; resulting in increase customer check average and bar sales.
  • Provide recommendations on what might be best for each guest base off of dietary restrictions, allergies, and health concerns.
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Lead server example responsibilities.

  • Establish payroll policies and manage multiple areas of restaurant operations.
  • Manage technical support, business analysis, project management, application development and support, training, and facilitation.
  • Provide leadership to crew and shift managers guaranteeing great quality, customer service and cleanliness according to the public health code.
  • Train new employees on police, procedures, and micros system.
  • Take orders from customers, input orders into micros, and obtain payment and provide change.
  • Execute bartending duties and prepare service bar drinks (wine tasting flights, glass pours, cocktails, etc . )
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Food and beverage server vs lead server skills

Common food and beverage server skills
  • Food Service, 18%
  • Wine, 12%
  • Cleanliness, 9%
  • Beverage Orders, 8%
  • Guest Service, 6%
  • Food Safety, 6%
Common lead server skills
  • Customer Service, 22%
  • New Servers, 11%
  • Fine Dining, 9%
  • POS, 7%
  • Food Service, 6%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 4%

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