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Food server, kitchen vs restaurant server

The differences between food servers, kitchen and restaurant servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a food server, kitchen has an average salary of $26,323, which is higher than the $24,558 average annual salary of a restaurant server.

The top three skills for a food server, kitchen include wine, dishes and cleanliness. The most important skills for a restaurant server are wine, exceptional dining, and guest satisfaction.

Food server, kitchen vs restaurant server overview

Food Server, KitchenRestaurant Server
Yearly salary$26,323$24,558
Hourly rate$12.66$11.81
Growth rate14%10%
Number of jobs120,231141,250
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age2328
Years of experience--

Food server, kitchen vs restaurant server salary

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

Food Server, KitchenRestaurant Server
Average salary$26,323$24,558
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $35,000Between $15,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry-Agriculture

Differences between food server, kitchen and restaurant server education

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

Food Server, KitchenRestaurant Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Food server, kitchen vs restaurant server demographics

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

Food Server, KitchenRestaurant Server
Average age2328
Gender ratioMale, 42.8% Female, 57.2%Male, 40.8% Female, 59.2%
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, 10.9% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 9.4% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%6%

Differences between food server, kitchen and restaurant 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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Restaurant server example responsibilities.

  • Demonstrate adequate culinary and Italian wine knowledge through suggestive selling.
  • Input orders in micros and issue guest check for each order.
  • Prepare the groceries for the customer in their request baggage handing.3.
  • Maintain clean, sanitize FOH area and ensure health & safety and hygiene procedures and standards are meet.
  • Work with operations manager in ordering and setting up all FOH systems need in opening a new restaurant.
  • Provide thorough knowledge of the restaurant's menu to make recommendations or answer questions, and enter POS charges.
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Food server, kitchen vs restaurant server skills

Common food server, kitchen skills
  • Wine, 20%
  • Dishes, 11%
  • Cleanliness, 8%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • POS, 8%
  • Cash Handling, 6%
Common restaurant server skills
  • Wine, 28%
  • Exceptional Dining, 6%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 5%
  • Cleanliness, 5%
  • POS, 5%
  • Food Service, 5%

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