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Food server, kitchen vs line server

The differences between food servers, kitchen and line servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a line server has an average salary of $28,300, which is higher than the $26,323 average annual salary of a food server, kitchen.

The top three skills for a food server, kitchen include wine, dishes and cleanliness. The most important skills for a line server are customer service, quality customer service, and exceptional guest.

Food server, kitchen vs line server overview

Food Server, KitchenLine Server
Yearly salary$26,323$28,300
Hourly rate$12.66$13.61
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs120,231246,165
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%High School Diploma, 49%
Average age2323
Years of experience--

Food server, kitchen vs line server salary

Food servers, kitchen and line servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Food Server, KitchenLine Server
Average salary$26,323$28,300
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $35,000Between $21,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between food server, kitchen and line server education

There are a few differences between a food server, kitchen and a line server in terms of educational background:

Food Server, KitchenLine Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%High School Diploma, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Food server, kitchen vs line server demographics

Here are the differences between food servers, kitchen' and line servers' demographics:

Food Server, KitchenLine Server
Average age2323
Gender ratioMale, 42.8% Female, 57.2%Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3%
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 food server, kitchen and line server duties and responsibilities

Food server, kitchen example responsibilities.

  • Manage event reservations and party requests, inform customers about upcoming events and specials.
  • Take orders, maintain cleanliness, place phone orders, expedite kitchen, make change, know menu and ingredients.
  • Take guest orders and input them into POS system.
  • Start as a server in the kitchen to serve student meals and work POS on the computer.
  • Establish a positive relationship with co-workers and managers through a solid work ethic, positive attitude, punctuality and dependability.
  • Welcome customers and make recommendations for selective requirements for celebration/venue/special occasions/food allergies and sensitivities.
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Line server example responsibilities.

  • Customer-Orient fast food worker with deep experience with POS systems, food preparation and safety regulations.
  • Experience with making smoothies and hot beverages while making sure customers are satisfied.
  • Take food and drink orders and receive payment from customers, accurately process payment methods via POS system.
  • Establish a positive relationship with co-workers and managers through a solid work ethic, positive attitude, punctuality and dependability.
  • Operate a commercial dishwasher to clean and sanitize flatware, glassware, utensils, and pots and pans.
  • Set correct water temperature and correct amount of dish soap for dishwasher to ensure dishes are clean and sanitize.
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Food server, kitchen vs line server skills

Common food server, kitchen skills
  • Wine, 20%
  • Dishes, 11%
  • Cleanliness, 8%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • POS, 8%
  • Cash Handling, 6%
Common line server skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Quality Customer Service, 20%
  • Exceptional Guest, 7%
  • Excellent Guest, 6%
  • Safety Standards, 4%
  • Food Safety, 3%

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