FIND PERSONALIZED JOBS
Sign up to Zippia and discover your career options with your personalized career search.
SIGN UP
×
FIND
PERSONALIZED JOBS

Log In

Log In to Save

Sign Up to Save

Sign Up to Dismiss

Sign Up

or

The email and password you specified are invalid. Please, try again.

User already exist with emailId.

Email and password are mandatory

Forgot Password?

Don't have an account? Sign Up

reset password

Enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Back to Log In

Log In

Log In to Save

Sign Up to Save

Sign Up to Dismiss

Sign up to save the job and get personalized job recommendations.

or

The email and password you specified are invalid. Please, try again.

Email and password are mandatory

Already Have An Account? Log in

reset password

Enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Back to Log In

Job Saved

See your Saved Jobs now

or

find more interesting jobs in

Job Dismissed

Find better matching jobs in

Become A Food Server

Where do you want to work?

To get started, tell us where you'd like to work.
Sorry, we can't find that. Please try a different city or state.

Working As A Food Server

  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  • Performing General Physical Activities
  • Getting Information
  • Selling or Influencing Others
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

  • Deal with People

  • Outdoors/walking/standing

  • $21,399

    Average Salary

What Does A Food Server Do

Waiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and beverages to customers in dining establishments.

Duties

Waiters and waitresses typically do the following:

  • Greet customers, present menus, and explain daily specials to customers
  • Answer questions related to menu
  • Take food and beverage orders from customers
  • Relay food and beverage orders to the kitchen staff
  • Prepare drinks and food garnishes
  • Carry trays of food or drinks from the kitchen to the dining tables
  • Remove dirty dishes and glasses, and clean tables after customers finish meals
  • Prepare itemized checks and take payments from customers
  • Set up dining areas, refill condiments, and stock service areas

Waiters and waitresses, also called servers, are responsible for ensuring that customers have a satisfying dining experience. The specific duties of servers vary with the establishment in which they work.

In casual-dining restaurants that offer simple menu items, such as salads, soups, and sandwiches, servers provide fast, efficient, and courteous service. In fine-dining restaurants, where more complicated meals are prepared and are often served over several courses, waiters and waitresses emphasize personal, attentive treatment at a more leisurely pace. For example, they may suggest a beverage choice such as a wine recommendation with certain foods.

Waiters and waitresses may meet with managers and chefs before each shift to discuss the menu or specials, review ingredients for potential food allergies, or talk about any food safety concerns. They also discuss coordination between the kitchen and the dining room and review any customer service issues from the previous day or shift.

In establishments where alcohol is served, waiters and waitresses verify the age of customers and ensure that they meet legal requirements for the purchase of alcohol.

Show More

Show Less

How To Become A Food Server

Most waiter and waitress jobs are entry level, and workers learn through short-term on-the-job training. No formal education or previous work experience is required to enter the occupation.

Most states require workers who serve alcoholic beverages to be at least 18 years of age, but some states require servers to be older. Waiters and waitresses who serve alcohol must be familiar with state and local laws concerning the sale of alcoholic beverages.

Education

No formal education is required to become a waiter or waitress.

Training

Most waiters and waitresses learn their skills through short-term on-the-job-training, usually lasting a few weeks. Trainees typically work with an experienced waiter or waitress, who teaches them basic serving techniques.

Some full-service restaurants provide new employees with some form of classroom training that alternates with periods of on-the-job work experience. These training programs communicate the operating philosophy of the restaurant, help new servers establish a rapport with other staff, teach serving techniques, and instill a desire to work as a team. They also discuss customer service situations and the proper ways to handle unpleasant circumstances or unruly customers.

Training for waiters and waitresses in establishments that serve alcohol typically involves learning state and local laws concerning the sale of alcoholic beverages. Some states, counties, and cities mandate the training, which typically lasts a few hours and can be taken online or in-house.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Waiters and waitresses must listen carefully to customers’ specific requests, ask questions, and relay the information to the kitchen staff, so that orders are prepared to the customers’ satisfaction.

Customer-service skills. Waiters and waitresses spend most of their work time serving customers. They should be friendly and polite and be able to develop a rapport with customers.

Detail oriented. Waiters and waitresses must record customers’ orders accurately. They need be able to recall the details of each order and match the food or drink orders to the correct customers.

Interpersonal skills. Waiters and waitresses should be courteous, tactful, and attentive as they deal with customers in all circumstances to resolve any issues that arise.

Physical stamina. Waiters and waitresses spend hours on their feet carrying heavy trays, dishes, and drinks.

Show More

Show Less

Do you work as a Food Server?

Food Server Jobs

NO RESULTS

Aw snap, no jobs found.

Add To My Jobs

Do you work as a Food Server?

Help others decide if this is a good career for them

Average Length of Employment
Head Server 2.9 years
Bartender Server 2.7 years
Waitress/Bartender 2.6 years
Fine Dining Server 2.5 years
Cafeteria Food Server 2.4 years
Restaurant Server 2.3 years
Food And Beverage Server 2.3 years
Beverage Server 2.3 years
Food Server 2.0 years
Server And Hostess 1.9 years
Server 1.8 years
Food Server, Kitchen 1.8 years
Food Expeditor 1.8 years
Fast Food Server 1.6 years
Counter Server 1.6 years
Server Assistant 1.4 years
Associate Food Scientist 1.4 years
Server/Barista 1.3 years
Food Runner/Busser 1.3 years
Food Runner 1.3 years
Top Employers Before
Cashier 18.7%
Sales Associate 10.8%
Customer Service Representative 7.5%
Server 6.8%
Internship 5.0%
Volunteer 4.7%
Office Assistant 4.3%
Hostess 4.2%
Receptionist 4.0%
Assistant Manager 3.9%
Waitress 3.7%
Bartender 3.6%
Teller 3.4%
Administrative Assistant 3.4%
Manager 2.8%
Server And Hostess 2.8%
Crew Member 2.7%
Housekeeper 2.7%
Cook 2.6%
Sales Representative 2.3%
Top Employers After
Cashier 15.7%
Sales Associate 11.7%
Customer Service Representative 10.2%
Server 8.3%
Assistant Manager 4.6%
Internship 4.5%
Bartender 4.1%
Administrative Assistant 3.9%
Teller 3.8%
Volunteer 3.6%
Housekeeper 3.4%
Receptionist 3.3%
Manager 3.2%
Sales Representative 3.1%
Certified Nursing Assistant 3.1%
Office Assistant 3.1%
Waitress 2.9%
Cook 2.6%
Crew Member 2.6%
Banquet Server 2.4%

Do you work as a Food Server?

Food Server Demographics

Gender

Female

65.2%

Male

32.3%

Unknown

2.5%
Ethnicity

White

75.8%

Hispanic or Latino

14.5%

Asian

7.7%

Unknown

1.5%

Black or African American

0.6%
Show More
Languages Spoken

Spanish

57.8%

French

8.6%

Mandarin

3.8%

Chinese

3.8%

Japanese

3.3%

Cantonese

3.1%

Italian

2.4%

German

2.4%

Portuguese

1.9%

Tagalog

1.7%

Arabic

1.7%

Russian

1.5%

Vietnamese

1.4%

Polish

1.4%

Korean

1.2%

Hmong

1.0%

Thai

0.9%

Filipino

0.9%

Swedish

0.7%

Romanian

0.7%
Show More

Food Server Education

Schools

College of Southern Nevada

15.5%

University of Phoenix

12.7%

University of Nevada - Las Vegas

10.5%

San Francisco State University

4.5%

Kaplan University

4.2%

Orange Coast College

4.2%

University of Nevada - Reno

3.9%

San Diego State University

3.9%

Long Beach City College

3.8%

Bakersfield College

3.8%

Arizona State University

3.6%

Northern Arizona University

3.5%

Johnson & Wales University

3.4%

California State University - Sacramento

3.4%

Grand Valley State University

3.2%

Liberty University

3.2%

California State University - Fullerton

3.2%

Ashford University

3.2%

Temple University

3.1%

Sierra College

3.1%
Show More
Majors

Business

19.2%

Psychology

8.4%

Nursing

7.9%

Criminal Justice

7.0%

General Studies

5.5%

Medical Assisting Services

5.3%

Health Care Administration

5.3%

Communication

4.6%

Accounting

4.4%

Hospitality Management

3.9%

Education

3.4%

Biology

3.4%

Liberal Arts

3.1%

English

3.0%

Sociology

2.9%

Culinary Arts

2.8%

Management

2.7%

Kinesiology

2.6%

Computer Science

2.5%

Marketing

2.3%
Show More
Degrees

Other

36.9%

Bachelors

36.2%

Associate

14.7%

Certificate

5.6%

Masters

3.7%

Diploma

1.8%

License

0.6%

Doctorate

0.3%
Show More
Job type you want
Full Time
Part Time
Internship
Temporary

Real Food Server Salaries

Job Title Company Location Start Date Salary
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant Flannery Hardware, Inc. New York, NY Jun 21, 2012 $36,962
Food Server E & J Restaurants LLC Oklahoma City, OK Feb 26, 2008 $27,131
Food Prepare/Server Swordfish Enterprises Inc. MA May 27, 2016 $26,922
Food Prepare/Server Swordfish Enterprises Inc. MA May 20, 2016 $26,922
Food Server Glen Head Country Club Glen Head, NY May 01, 2015 $24,794
Food Server Cold Spring Country Club, Inc. Cold Spring Harbor, NY May 01, 2015 $24,794
Food Server The Seawane Golf and Country Club, Inc. Hewlett Harbor, NY Apr 30, 2015 $24,794
Food Server Fresh Meadow Country Club Lake Success, NY Apr 30, 2015 $24,794
Food Server G & M Deli Grocery Store Inc. New York, NY Jan 31, 2008 $24,606
Food Prepare/Server Swordfish Enterprises, Inc. MA Apr 15, 2014 $24,606
Food Server Glen Head Country Club NY May 15, 2013 $24,188
Food Server The Seawane Golf and Country Club, Inc. Hewlett Harbor, NY Apr 30, 2016 $23,541
Food Server Cold Spring Country Club, Inc. Cold Spring Harbor, NY Apr 01, 2016 $23,541
Food Server Glen Head Country Club, Inc. Glen Head, NY May 01, 2016 $23,541
Food Server WHI Hotel LLC Wilsonville, OR Sep 15, 2015 $20,500
Food Server WHI Hotel LLC Wilsonville, OR Feb 25, 2016 $20,500
Food Server WHI Hotel LLC Wilsonville, OR Feb 03, 2016 $20,500
Food Server Lago AZUL LLC Hailey, ID Oct 25, 2011 $18,262
Food Server Lago AZUL LLC Hailey, ID May 12, 2011 $18,262
Food Server, Non Restraunt Rainbow King Lodge Inc. Iliamna, AK Jun 01, 2015 $18,261
Food Server Regency CSP Ventures LP Custer, SD Apr 01, 2016 $18,073
Food Server Cotton Bayou Marina Inc. AL Nov 07, 2014 $17,990
Food Servers Regency CSP Ventures LP SD Apr 15, 2014 $17,760
Food Servers, Restaurant Chief Enterprises Custer, SD Apr 30, 2015 $17,740
Food Server Kemper Sports Management, Inc. Valentine, NE May 09, 2016 $17,677

No Results

To get more results, try adjusting your search by changing your filters.

Show More

How Would You Rate The Salary Of a Food Server?

Have you worked as a Food Server? Help other job seekers by rating your experience as a Food Server.

Top Skills for A Food Server

CustomerServiceSkillsFoodOrdersBeverageOrdersFoodPreparationAreasMenuItemsFoodItemsFoodServiceCustomerOrdersPOSDrinkOrdersCustomerSatisfactionCommunicationSkillsHighVolumeDailyActivitiesAlcoholicBeveragesCleanTablesFoodDistributionCustomerComplaintsDailySpecialsKitchenUtensils

Show More

  1. Customer Service Skills
  2. Food Orders
  3. Beverage Orders
You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:
  • Worked in a fast paced service environment and providing excellent customer service skills
  • Well versed in taking food orders professionally and promptly.
  • Delivered excellent customer service, took food and beverage orders, and promptly delivered orders to patrons.
  • Inspected and cleaned food preparation areas to ensure safe and sanitary food-handling practices.
  • Explain how various and neatly menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.

How Would You Rate Working As a Food Server?

Are you working as a Food Server? Help us rate Food Server as a Career.

Top Food Server Employers

Show More

Food Server Videos

Server (fine dining), Career Video from drkit.org

Food and Beverage Server - emerit Training and Certification

Find Food Server Jobs In Every State

Related Jobs

Best Companies Nearby