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Formal waiter/waitress vs caterer/server

The differences between formal waiter/waitresses and caterer/servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a caterer/server has an average salary of $33,737, which is higher than the $25,808 average annual salary of a formal waiter/waitress.

The top three skills for a formal waiter/waitress include wine, fine dining and . The most important skills for a caterer/server are customer service, food service, and wine.

Formal waiter/waitress vs caterer/server overview

Formal Waiter/WaitressCaterer/Server
Yearly salary$25,808$33,737
Hourly rate$12.41$16.22
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs3,660105,138
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age2828
Years of experience--

Formal waiter/waitress vs caterer/server salary

Formal waiter/waitresses and caterer/servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Formal Waiter/WaitressCaterer/Server
Average salary$25,808$33,737
Salary rangeBetween $20,000 And $33,000Between $24,000 And $46,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNew YorkWashington
Best paying companySunningdale Country ClubLunds & Byerlys
Best paying industryReal EstateFinance

Differences between formal waiter/waitress and caterer/server education

There are a few differences between a formal waiter/waitress and a caterer/server in terms of educational background:

Formal Waiter/WaitressCaterer/Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Formal waiter/waitress vs caterer/server demographics

Here are the differences between formal waiter/waitresses' and caterer/servers' demographics:

Formal Waiter/WaitressCaterer/Server
Average age2828
Gender ratioMale, 51.5% Female, 48.5%Male, 36.9% Female, 63.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 8.5% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 8.1% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between formal waiter/waitress and caterer/server duties and responsibilities

Formal waiter/waitress example responsibilities.

  • Set up, work in, and manage the private room events as both bartender and waiter.
  • Develop expertise in wine recommendations and pairings base on extensive winereserves.
  • Operate large volume cooking equipment like buger grills, fryers, and/or griddles.

Caterer/server example responsibilities.

  • Experience caterer, providing services from assembling full-service buffets to serving guests at outside catering events and private parties at restaurants.
  • Handle cash and credit transactions accurately through the provided POS system
  • Perform accurate POS system transactions for in-seat patrons; beverage and alcohol orders.
  • Monitor and maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and organization of assign stations and service areas.
  • Experience training new employees, working as a server, service bartending, as well as catering large events.
  • Inventory control, stocking food and beverage trail, planning events, bartending, catering, and serving guest at parties.
  • Show more

Formal waiter/waitress vs caterer/server skills

Common formal waiter/waitress skills
  • Wine, 78%
  • Fine Dining, 22%
Common caterer/server skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Food Service, 9%
  • Wine, 8%
  • Exceptional Guest, 7%
  • Cleanliness, 7%
  • Work Ethic, 7%

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