Head server demographics and statistics in the US
Head server demographics research summary. Zippia estimates head server demographics and statistics in the United States by using a database of 30 million profiles. Our head server estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. Zippia's data science team found the following key facts about head servers after extensive research and analysis:
- There are over 43,801 head servers currently employed in the United States.
- 65.6% of all head servers are women, while 34.4% are men.
- The average head server age is 28 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of head servers is White (54.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (18.7%), Black or African American (11.0%) and Asian (9.3%).
- In 2022, women earned 94% of what men earned.
- 6% of all head servers are LGBT.
- Head servers are 80% more likely to work at private companies in comparison to public companies.
On this page
Head server demographics by:
Head server gender statistics
65.6% of head servers are women and 34.4% of head servers are men.
- Female, 65.6%
- Male, 34.4%
Head server gender ratio
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Female | 65.6% |
| Male | 34.4% |
Head server gender pay gap
Women earn 94¢ for every $1 earned by men
Male income
$120,819
Female income
$112,981
Head server gender ratio over time
This data breaks down the percentage of men and women in head server positions over time. Currently, 65.6% of head servers are female.
Head server gender ratio by year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 31.19% | 68.81% |
| 2011 | 31.39% | 68.61% |
| 2012 | 31.77% | 68.23% |
| 2013 | 33.08% | 66.92% |
| 2014 | 32.72% | 67.28% |
| 2015 | 33.56% | 66.44% |
| 2016 | 35.43% | 64.57% |
| 2017 | 34.36% | 65.64% |
| 2018 | 34.32% | 65.68% |
| 2019 | 34.18% | 65.82% |
| 2020 | 35.19% | 64.81% |
| 2021 | 34.37% | 65.63% |
Head server related jobs gender ratio
We compared head servers with similar job titles to see how gender ratios vary. As you can see, busboy/waiter and host/waiter have the biggest gender ratio gaps.
| Job title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Barmaid | 5% | 95% |
| Head Waitress | 5% | 95% |
| Bartender, Cook, And Waitress | 5% | 95% |
| Head Server | 34% | 66% |
| Bar Back & Bartender | 86% | 14% |
| Host/Waiter | 90% | 10% |
| Busboy/Waiter | 97% | 3% |
Male
Female
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Head server demographics by race
The most common ethnicity among head servers is White, which makes up 54.7% of all head servers. Comparatively, 18.7% of head servers are Hispanic or Latino and 11.0% of head servers are Black or African American.
- White, 54.7%
- Hispanic or Latino, 18.7%
- Black or African American, 11.0%
- Asian, 9.3%
- Unknown, 5.6%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
Head server race
| Head server race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 54.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 18.7% |
| Black or African American | 11.0% |
| Asian | 9.3% |
| Unknown | 5.6% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.7% |
Head server race and ethnicity over time
See how head server racial and ethnic diversity trended since 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau data.
Head server race and ethnicity by year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 66.80% | 10.13% | 6.32% | 13.69% |
| 2011 | 65.45% | 11.19% | 6.62% | 13.60% |
| 2012 | 64.77% | 11.00% | 6.84% | 14.10% |
| 2013 | 64.11% | 10.78% | 6.83% | 15.01% |
| 2014 | 63.40% | 10.57% | 7.27% | 15.19% |
| 2015 | 61.20% | 10.89% | 7.49% | 16.65% |
| 2016 | 60.92% | 10.94% | 7.53% | 16.63% |
| 2017 | 60.39% | 10.93% | 7.59% | 17.05% |
| 2018 | 59.29% | 11.26% | 8.11% | 17.48% |
| 2019 | 60.11% | 10.85% | 8.32% | 16.88% |
| 2020 | 55.82% | 11.60% | 8.53% | 18.01% |
| 2021 | 54.66% | 10.99% | 9.26% | 18.65% |
Head server wage gap by race
According to our data, hispanic or latino head servers have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. Black or african american head servers have the lowest average salary at $115,618.
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $120,338 |
| White | $120,757 |
| Black or African American | $115,618 |
| Asian | $121,163 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $126,465 |
Average head server age
See how the average age of head servers varies based on ethnicity and gender.
Male
Female
Head server age by race and gender
| Race | Male age | Female age |
|---|---|---|
| Black or African American | 24 | 25 |
| Unknown | 24 | 24 |
| Asian | 28 | 32 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 26 | 26 |
| White | 24 | 25 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 31 | 25 |
Head server age breakdown
The average age of head servers is 20-30 years years old, representing 48% of the head server population.
Head server age breakdown
| Head Server Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 15% |
| 30-40 years | 20% |
| 20-30 years | 48% |
Head server educational attainment
The most common degree for head servers is bachelor's degree, with 49% of head servers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 21% and high school diploma degree at 20%.
- Bachelor's, 49%
- High School Diploma, 21%
- Associate, 20%
- Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 7%
Head servers by degree level
| Head server degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 49% |
| High School Diploma | 21% |
| Associate | 20% |
| Diploma | 3% |
| Other Degrees | 7% |
Head server jobs you might like
Head server wage gap by degree level
According to the data, head servers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $150,789 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, head servers earn a median annual income of $141,172 compared to $127,875 for head servers with an Associate degree.
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $150,789 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $115,837 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $141,172 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $127,875 |
Head server employment statistics
Most head servers work for a private in the hospitality industry.
Company size where head servers work
Below, you can see the size of companies where head servers work.
Head server jobs by employer size
| Company size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 8% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 16% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 23% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 8% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 27% |
| > 10,000 employees | 18% |
Head server jobs by company type
Employees with the head server job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most head servers prefer to work at private companies over public companies.
Head server jobs by sector
| Company type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 1% |
| Public | 18% |
| Private | 80% |
| Government | 2% |
Head server jobs by industry
The most common industries for head servers are hospitality, manufacturing and media.
Head server industry statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Hospitality | 61% |
| Manufacturing | 6% |
| Media | 4% |
| Health Care | 4% |
| Professional | 3% |
| Start-up | 3% |
| Retail | 2% |
| Non Profits | 2% |
| Fortune 500 | 2% |
| Technology | 2% |
| Internet | 1% |
| Government | 1% |
| Energy | 1% |
| Real Estate | 1% |
| Education | 1% |
| Insurance | 1% |
Head server turnover and employment statistics
Head server unemployment rate over time
The unemployment rate for head servers between 2008 and the most recent data has varied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Head server unemployment rate by year
| Year | Head server unemployment rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 12.70% |
| 2011 | 12.69% |
| 2012 | 11.74% |
| 2013 | 10.91% |
| 2014 | 9.64% |
| 2015 | 7.91% |
| 2016 | 7.56% |
| 2017 | 7.32% |
| 2018 | 6.98% |
| 2019 | 6.26% |
| 2020 | 13.68% |
| 2021 | 12.67% |
Average head server tenure
The average head server stays at their job for 1-2 years, based on the 9,947 head servers resumes in Zippia's database.
Head server tenure statistics
| Number of years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 15% |
| 1-2 years | 39% |
| 3-4 years | 19% |
| 5-7 years | 15% |
| 8-10 years | 5% |
| 11+ years | 7% |
Head server LGBT ratio compared to similar jobs
Review the percent of head servers that are members of the LGBT community. You can see how this compares to similar jobs in the chart below.
| Job title | LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Head Server | 6.48% | - |
| Food Porter | 6.98% | 57,175 |
| Cupola Tender | 7.82% | 24,005 |
| Ice Cream Server | 7.82% | 73,025 |
Similar head server jobs LGBT demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Food Porter | 6.98% | 57,175 |
| Cupola Tender | 7.82% | 24,005 |
| Ice Cream Server | 7.82% | 73,025 |
Foreign languages spoken by head servers
The most common foreign language among head servers is Spanish at 56.5%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is French at 9.4% and Korean is the third-most popular at 5.3%.
- Spanish, 56.5%
- French, 9.4%
- Korean, 5.3%
- Vietnamese, 3.0%
- Italian, 3.0%
- Other, 22.8%
Head server languages spoken
| Foreign language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 56.5% |
| French | 9.4% |
| Korean | 5.3% |
| Vietnamese | 3.0% |
| Italian | 3.0% |
| Other | 22.8% |
