Front desk host vs server

The differences between front desk hosts and servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a front desk host has an average salary of $31,080, which is higher than the $29,901 average annual salary of a server.

The top three skills for a front desk host include front desk, cleanliness and greeting guests. The most important skills for a server are wine, customer service, and guest satisfaction.

Front desk host vs server overview

	Front Desk Host	Server
Yearly salary	$31,080	$29,901
Hourly rate	$14.94	$14.38
Growth rate	-	10%
Number of jobs	69,194	162,734
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age	37	28
Years of experience	-	-

What does a front desk host do?

The front desk host is responsible for welcoming guests upon arrival. As the host, you will be required to oversee the operation of the front office. You'll manage the shifts and generally provide administrative support to hotel management. You will greet guests with enthusiasm and in a welcoming manner, seat customers, and sometimes take orders. A front desk host takes actions to correct problems, answer questions, interact with guests professionally, and complete customer transactions swiftly and with efficiency.

What does a server do?

A server is a restaurant employee assigned to the main dining area of the restaurant to primarily attend to the customer's needs. Servers assist guests to their tables, wait for the guests to be ready with their orders, and take the guests' orders. They should be knowledgeable about the restaurant's offerings since they should be able to answer any questions asked by the guests regarding the menu. They communicate the guests' orders to the kitchen crew and serve the orders once they are ready. Once the guests are finished eating, servers provide their bills upon their request and clean up the table when they leave. Servers should have excellent customer service skills and hospitality management skills.

Front desk host vs server salary

Front desk hosts and servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Front Desk Host	Server
Average salary	$31,080	$29,901
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $37,000	Between $21,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	-	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	-	New York
Best paying company	-	Dell
Best paying industry	-	Hospitality

Differences between front desk host and server education

There are a few differences between a front desk host and a server in terms of educational background:

	Front Desk Host	Server
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Front desk host vs server demographics

Here are the differences between front desk hosts' and servers' demographics:

	Front Desk Host	Server
Average age	37	28
Gender ratio	Male, 42.1% Female, 57.9%	Male, 32.0% Female, 68.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.5% Asian, 11.0% White, 49.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 8.2% White, 54.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	13%	6%

Differences between front desk host and server duties and responsibilities

Front desk host example responsibilities.

Manage patients records by keeping all medical history, insurance and personal information update and verify abiding by HIPAA protocols.
Skil with scanners and cash registers, particularly POS machines.
Review arrivals, noting special requests and blocking rooms as necessary for VIP members and group check-ins.
Cashier, operate POS system, fax, handle multiple phone lines, and transfer calls to appropriate division.
Serve as resource for guests: make reservations and answer any questions in person, over the phone or via e-mail.
Coordinate all daily incoming calls and assist customers with reservations and room location.

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Server example responsibilities.

Manage expediter window paying close attention to garnishes and presentation.
Provide exceptional customer service, while frequently checking for food allergies, by utilizing excellent communication and multitasking skills.
Maximize profits by upselling food and alcoholic beverages and utilizing excellent customer service skills to ensure guests repeat business.
Clean bars, work areas, and tables.
Provide exceptional service to guests with charm, professionalism, respect, and bright personality.
Embrace serving on a more personal level due the quaint, small-town charm of the location.

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Front desk host vs server skills

Common front desk host skills

Front Desk, 32%
Cleanliness, 17%
Greeting Guests, 12%
Hotel Services, 7%
Front Door, 7%
Merchandise Sales, 6%

Common server skills

Wine, 15%
Customer Service, 10%
Guest Satisfaction, 8%
Cleanliness, 7%
Cash Handling, 7%
POS, 6%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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