Post job

Head server vs bartender, cook, and waitress

The differences between head servers and bartender, cook, and waitresses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a head server has an average salary of $111,194, which is higher than the $27,827 average annual salary of a bartender, cook, and waitress.

The top three skills for a head server include customer service, new servers and POS. The most important skills for a bartender, cook, and waitress are food orders, customer orders, and bartending.

Head server vs bartender, cook, and waitress overview

Head ServerBartender, Cook, And Waitress
Yearly salary$111,194$27,827
Hourly rate$53.46$13.38
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs64,405162,319
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%High School Diploma, 42%
Average age2828
Years of experience--

What does a head server do?

A head server is primarily in charge of supervising waiters in a restaurant or similar setting, ensuring customer satisfaction. Aside from leading a team of servers, they also assist customers by offering menus, taking and serving orders, even providing suggestions when needed. Moreover, they usually delegate tasks, manage schedules, respond to inquiries, and address issues and concerns, giving corrective measures. As a head server, it is also essential to lead and encourage the team, all while implementing the restaurant's policies and health standards.

What does a bartender, cook, and waitress do?

A bartender, cook, and waitress are employees who work in the food services industry and usually deal with customer orders and food preparations. Bartenders usually prepare alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks for bar and restaurant patrons and assess the customers' needs. On the other hand, cooks assist chefs in the preparation of food and manage food stations when needed. Lastly, waitresses interact with restaurant customers by taking food orders and serving them appropriately to the customers.

Head server vs bartender, cook, and waitress salary

Head servers and bartender, cook, and waitresses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Head ServerBartender, Cook, And Waitress
Average salary$111,194$27,827
Salary rangeBetween $51,000 And $238,000Between $21,000 And $35,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between head server and bartender, cook, and waitress education

There are a few differences between a head server and a bartender, cook, and waitress in terms of educational background:

Head ServerBartender, Cook, And Waitress
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%High School Diploma, 42%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Head server vs bartender, cook, and waitress demographics

Here are the differences between head servers' and bartender, cook, and waitresses' demographics:

Head ServerBartender, Cook, And Waitress
Average age2828
Gender ratioMale, 34.4% Female, 65.6%Male, 5.4% Female, 94.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 9.3% White, 54.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 7.8% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between head server and bartender, cook, and waitress duties and responsibilities

Head server example responsibilities.

  • Train and manage all BOH employees.
  • Manage all servers' end of night cash out and prepare host and bartending tip out.
  • Manage opening and closing duties, including restocking items and insuring the FOH are clean and shut down correctly.
  • Manage technical support, business analysis, project management, application development and support, training, and facilitation.
  • Help drive and increase restaurant sales by upselling and highlighting off menu items.
  • Train new employees on operating the micros system and on self-presentation and customer service.
  • Show more

Bartender, cook, and waitress example responsibilities.

  • General cleaning, and knowledge of POS systems.
  • Start off here as a cook, learned to bartend.
  • Operate a POS system to itemize and complete a customer purchases.
  • Develop relationships with regular patrons; develop an understanding of their personal needs and expectations, including preferences and food allergies.
  • Cook waitresses cashier hostess prep cook dishwasher
  • Generate detail checks utilizing micros systems.

Head server vs bartender, cook, and waitress skills

Common head server skills
  • Customer Service, 33%
  • New Servers, 9%
  • POS, 6%
  • Fine Dining, 5%
  • Bartending, 4%
  • Safety Procedures, 3%
Common bartender, cook, and waitress skills
  • Food Orders, 16%
  • Customer Orders, 13%
  • Bartending, 8%
  • Food Preparation, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Drink Orders, 5%

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs