Food server vs room service server

The differences between food servers and room service servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a room service server has an average salary of $26,717, which is higher than the $25,209 average annual salary of a food server.

The top three skills for a food server include beverage orders, wine and cleanliness. The most important skills for a room service server are guest rooms, beverage orders, and in-room.

Food server vs room service server overview

	Food Server	Room Service Server
Yearly salary	$25,209	$26,717
Hourly rate	$12.12	$12.84
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	125,455	144,551
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	42	39
Years of experience	-	-

What does a food server do?

A Food Server specializes in helping customers attain a pleasant dining experience while ensuring to meet all food handling and health regulation standards. Most of the responsibilities revolve around greeting customers and directing them to comfortable seats, responding to their inquires and taking their orders, and courteously suggesting options. Aside from serving meals, Food Servers must also accept payments, organize order receipts, replenish stocks in food containers and drinking stations, and clean tables for the new customers.

What does a room service server do?

A room service server is an employee employed in a hotel or lodging to provide various services to the room occupants in the hotel. They often deliver ordered food, drinks, or movies to the occupants' rooms. Their duties and responsibilities include delivery of ordered foods or drinks, taking orders, collecting dirty dishes from rooms, and maintaining supplies and orders.

Food server vs room service server salary

Food servers and room service servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Food Server	Room Service Server
Average salary	$25,209	$26,717
Salary range	Between $18,000 And $34,000	Between $18,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Los Angeles, CA	Portland, ME
Highest paying state	Vermont	Maine
Best paying company	Gettysburg College	Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Best paying industry	Retail	Hospitality

Differences between food server and room service server education

There are a few differences between a food server and a room service server in terms of educational background:

	Food Server	Room Service Server
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Food server vs room service server demographics

Here are the differences between food servers' and room service servers' demographics:

	Food Server	Room Service Server
Average age	42	39
Gender ratio	Male, 36.0% Female, 64.0%	Male, 51.8% Female, 48.2%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 7.4% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	7%	6%

Differences between food server and room service server duties and responsibilities

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.

Room service server example responsibilities.

Clean and defrost mini bars regularly.
Train, maintain and enforce all Marriott service standards using use records, menus and appropriate reference materials.
Perform various financial activities such as cash and credit card processing, daily revenue reports, bank deposits, and payroll.
Assist in weekly payroll and scheduling responsibilities.
Establish a positive relationship with co-workers and managers through a solid work ethic, positive attitude, punctuality and dependability.
Build relationships with guests -help prepare for restaurant opening -Maintain restaurant at all times -Persuasive- positive use of upselling techniques

Food server vs room service server skills

Common food server skills

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

Common room service server skills

Guest Rooms, 8%
Beverage Orders, 8%
In-Room, 6%
Cash Handling, 6%
Guest Service, 6%
Cleanliness, 6%

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Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Food Server
Food Server vs Room Service Server

Updated January 8, 2025

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