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The differences between head servers and cocktail servers 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 $26,178 average annual salary of a cocktail server.
The top three skills for a head server include customer service, new servers and POS. The most important skills for a cocktail server are wine, cash handling, and beverage orders.
| Head Server | Cocktail Server | |
| Yearly salary | $111,194 | $26,178 |
| Hourly rate | $53.46 | $12.59 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 64,405 | 74,674 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Average age | 28 | 28 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
A cocktail server's responsibilities revolve around taking orders and serving drinks in a restaurant or similar establishment, ensuring accuracy and customer satisfaction. Aside from this, a cocktail server may have to process payments, clean tables, and even offer suggestions when necessary. They also have to be alert for any signs of disruptive behavior from intoxicated to underage customers. Furthermore, it is essential to communicate and coordinate with the bartender and other kitchen staff to ensure that every patron gets their order, especially on days when there's a high customer presence.
Head servers and cocktail servers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Head Server | Cocktail Server | |
| Average salary | $111,194 | $26,178 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $238,000 | Between $16,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | - | Washington |
| Best paying company | - | Aspen Snowmass |
| Best paying industry | - | Media |
There are a few differences between a head server and a cocktail server in terms of educational background:
| Head Server | Cocktail Server | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between head servers' and cocktail servers' demographics:
| Head Server | Cocktail Server | |
| Average age | 28 | 28 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6% | Male, 13.0% Female, 87.0% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 10.7% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 8.1% White, 51.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |