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Formal waiter/waitress vs cocktail server

The differences between formal waiter/waitresses and cocktail servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cocktail server has an average salary of $26,178, 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 cocktail server are wine, cash handling, and beverage orders.

Formal waiter/waitress vs cocktail server overview

Formal Waiter/WaitressCocktail Server
Yearly salary$25,808$26,178
Hourly rate$12.41$12.59
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs3,66074,674
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Average age2828
Years of experience--

Formal waiter/waitress vs cocktail server salary

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

Formal Waiter/WaitressCocktail Server
Average salary$25,808$26,178
Salary rangeBetween $20,000 And $33,000Between $16,000 And $42,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNew YorkWashington
Best paying companySunningdale Country ClubAspen Snowmass
Best paying industryReal EstateMedia

Differences between formal waiter/waitress and cocktail server education

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

Formal Waiter/WaitressCocktail Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Formal waiter/waitress vs cocktail server demographics

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

Formal Waiter/WaitressCocktail Server
Average age2828
Gender ratioMale, 51.5% Female, 48.5%Male, 13.0% Female, 87.0%
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, 10.7% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 8.1% White, 51.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between formal waiter/waitress and cocktail 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.

Cocktail server example responsibilities.

  • Ensure club cleanliness and provide amazing customer service to every individual.
  • Experience handling money and using a cash register, as well as the micros systems.
  • Take customers' orders and input into POS, run food, bus tables, help other servers as needed.
  • Provide a fun, safe and friendly atmosphere for customers, while providing excellent service serving cocktails, wine and beer.
  • Greet guests, take orders, correctly enter food and beverages into POS terminal, and ensure efficient delivery of both.
  • Fluctuate between all shifts and floors, assist in bartending, and becoming a top selling server within a few months.
  • Show more

Formal waiter/waitress vs cocktail server skills

Common formal waiter/waitress skills
  • Wine, 78%
  • Fine Dining, 22%
Common cocktail server skills
  • Wine, 13%
  • Cash Handling, 7%
  • Beverage Orders, 6%
  • Cleanliness, 6%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%

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