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How to hire a formal waiter/waitress

Formal waiter/waitress hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring formal waiter/waitresses in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a formal waiter/waitress is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new formal waiter/waitress to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a formal waiter/waitress, step by step

To hire a formal waiter/waitress, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a formal waiter/waitress:

Here's a step-by-step formal waiter/waitress hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a formal waiter/waitress job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new formal waiter/waitress
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your formal waiter/waitress job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a formal waiter/waitress for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a formal waiter/waitress to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a formal waiter/waitress that fits the bill.

    This list shows salaries for various types of formal waiter/waitresses.

    Type of Formal Waiter/WaitressDescriptionHourly rate
    Formal Waiter/WaitressWaiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and beverages to customers in dining establishments.$9-15
    Server ManagerAs the name entails, server managers are responsible for managing and overseeing the serving areas in restaurants. This role is associated with several tasks, including checking the appearance of servers, checking a server's knowledge of the restaurant's daily specials and menu items, and greeting the customers... Show more$11-77
    Server And Certified TrainerA server and certified trainer is a wait staff position who takes orders and serves food and beverages to customers dining in the restaurant. Often known as the lead server, a server and certified trainer provides training to new server trainees to serve customers and handle payments... Show more$11-18
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Wine
    • Fine Dining
    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.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your formal waiter/waitress job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A formal waiter/waitress can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, formal waiter/waitresses' average salary in oklahoma is 45% less than in new york.
    • Seniority. Entry-level formal waiter/waitresses 39% less than senior-level formal waiter/waitresses.
    • Certifications. A formal waiter/waitress with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a formal waiter/waitress's salary.

    Average formal waiter/waitress salary

    $12.41hourly

    $25,808 yearly

    Entry-level formal waiter/waitress salary
    $20,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 22, 2025

    Average formal waiter/waitress salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New York$34,529$17
    2District of Columbia$33,134$16
    3Minnesota$31,021$15
    4Michigan$30,576$15
    5California$29,823$14
    6Colorado$27,385$13
    7Connecticut$27,262$13
    8Utah$26,121$13
    9Texas$24,185$12
    10Missouri$24,121$12
    11Nevada$23,779$11
    12Florida$23,671$11
    13Illinois$23,420$11
    14Ohio$22,262$11
    15North Carolina$21,587$10
    16Virginia$21,348$10
    17South Carolina$21,152$10
    18Georgia$20,617$10
    19Louisiana$19,769$10
    20Mississippi$19,318$9

    Average formal waiter/waitress salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Sunningdale Country Club$34,963$16.81
    2BallenIsles Country Club$33,110$15.92
    3Mill River Club$31,974$15.37
    4The Amelia Island Club$29,863$14.36
    5The Stanwich Club$29,126$14.00
    6Compass Group USA$28,860$13.88288
    7Fairview Country Club$28,526$13.71
    8Montclair Golf Club$28,439$13.67
    9Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina$28,434$13.67
    10Lago Mar Country Club$28,334$13.62
    11Grand Hotel$27,835$13.38
    12Wycliffe Golf & Country Club$27,618$13.28
    13Jackie International$27,433$13.19
    14Harbour Ridge$27,240$13.10
    15Nooksack Northwood Casino$27,065$13.01
    16Woodway Country Club$26,991$12.98
    17Bloomingdale's$26,971$12.9710
    18Macy's$26,939$12.952
    19Windsor Capital Group, Inc.$26,780$12.88
    20jlgc1$26,378$12.68
  4. Writing a formal waiter/waitress job description

    A good formal waiter/waitress job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a formal waiter/waitress job description:

    Formal waiter/waitress job description example

    This serving position earns a competitive wage starting at $2.13 per hour plus tips and then increases to $2.50 per hour plus tips after four months. Some shifts offer $7.25 per hour plus tips depending on the schedule. We provide on the job training and great benefits , including medical, dental, vision, and paid vacation time for full-time team members . We are also providing our team with a new discount program that offers discounts on travel, gyms, cell phones, restaurants, auto purchases, apparel, and electronics . Additionally, our team members get free shift meals . If this sounds like the right full- or part-time food service opportunity for you, apply today!


    ABOUT IHOP

    Since 1958, IHOP has been the place where people can connect over breakfast, enjoy study breaks, grab a bite to eat before or after sporting events, and so much more. No matter what menu items our customers order, one ingredient is always a constant - a smile. In fact, smiles are so much a part of our culture that we changed our logo to include one. We know the shortest distance between two people is a smile. Our values of integrity, excellence, innovation, accountability, inclusion, trust, and community are ingrained in everything that we do, ensuring our customers always receive the highest quality of service.

    When you work for IHOP restaurants, we encourage you to "be the pancake you wish to see in the world." Our team members are more than just traditional employees. They help create smiles for the future with their warm and friendly service. To show our appreciation for all the hard work that our employees do, we promote a supportive work environment that encourages building lifelong friendships and offers opportunities for professional growth .


    A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SERVER / WAITER / WAITRESS

    In this food service position, you play a huge part in the experience each customer has at our restaurant! As guests come in you warmly greet them, promptly take orders, and follow up to ensure exceptional customer service. Your awareness serves you well as you refill drinks and clear dishes at appropriate times. In addition to serving-related tasks, you perform other responsibilities like cleaning and presetting tables, stocking, and practicing superior cash handling standards when collecting payments.

    Your problem-solving skills come in handy when you need to rectify guest complaints, and you always promptly notify the management of these situations. Whether you're interacting with customers or coworkers, you always behave in a professional manner and follow uniform guidelines. Overall, you love working with lots of different people and having the opportunity to be an important part of the team !


    QUALIFICATIONS FOR A SERVER / WAITER / WAITRESS

    • Ability to be on your feet for long periods of time and lift up to 25 lbs.
    • Exceptional customer service skills

    Experience with computers is preferred but is not required. Are you adaptable and able to work well under pressure? Can you effectively prioritize multiple tasks? Do you have solid interpersonal and communication skills? Can you represent our company in a professional manner? Are you service-oriented? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment? Are you a team player and willing to help out wherever you're needed? If yes, you might just be perfect for this full- or part-time food service position!


    WORK SCHEDULE FOR A SERVER / WAITER / WAITRESS

    This serving position is full- or part-time and works a varied and flexible work schedule.


    ARE YOU READY TO JOIN OUR RESTAURANT SERVING TEAM?

    If you feel that you have the right serving skills for this full- or part-time food service job with our restaurant, please fill out our initial 3-minute, mobile-friendly application . We look forward to meeting you!

    Location: 37912

  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find formal waiter/waitresses for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your formal waiter/waitress job on Zippia to find and recruit formal waiter/waitress candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with formal waiter/waitress candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new formal waiter/waitress

    Once you have selected a candidate for the formal waiter/waitress position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new formal waiter/waitress. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a formal waiter/waitress?

Before you start to hire formal waiter/waitresses, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire formal waiter/waitresses pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $25,808 per year for a formal waiter/waitress, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for formal waiter/waitresses in the US typically range between $9 and $15 an hour.

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