Post job

Head waitress vs lead server

The differences between head waitresses and lead servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead server has an average salary of $28,677, which is higher than the $27,306 average annual salary of a head waitress.

The top three skills for a head waitress include customer service, food preparation and customer complaints. The most important skills for a lead server are customer service, new servers, and fine dining.

Head waitress vs lead server overview

Head WaitressLead Server
Yearly salary$27,306$28,677
Hourly rate$13.13$13.79
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs72,324123,215
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age2828
Years of experience--

Head waitress vs lead server salary

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

Head WaitressLead Server
Average salary$27,306$28,677
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $38,000Between $11,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Microsoft
Best paying industry-Hospitality

Differences between head waitress and lead server education

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

Head WaitressLead Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Head waitress vs lead server demographics

Here are the differences between head waitresses' and lead servers' demographics:

Head WaitressLead Server
Average age2828
Gender ratioMale, 4.8% Female, 95.2%Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 8.3% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 8.7% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between head waitress and lead server duties and responsibilities

Head waitress example responsibilities.

  • Manage a recurring book of business of top VIP clients secure through networking.
  • Task with preparing all espresso beverages, smoothies, and food on the menu.
  • Operate POS terminals to input customers orders, swipe credit cards, and enter cash amounts receive.
  • Complete closing duties; assuring staff have fully restock inventory, closing out nightly sales and POS system.
  • Ensure requirements for all guests are met including small children, disable guests, and guests with allergies.
  • Prepare a wide variety of food and beverages such as smoothies, frappuccinos, sandwiches, and soup.
  • Show more

Lead server example responsibilities.

  • Establish payroll policies and manage multiple areas of restaurant operations.
  • Manage technical support, business analysis, project management, application development and support, training, and facilitation.
  • Provide leadership to crew and shift managers guaranteeing great quality, customer service and cleanliness according to the public health code.
  • Train new employees on police, procedures, and micros system.
  • Take orders from customers, input orders into micros, and obtain payment and provide change.
  • Execute bartending duties and prepare service bar drinks (wine tasting flights, glass pours, cocktails, etc . )
  • Show more

Head waitress vs lead server skills

Common head waitress skills
  • Customer Service, 32%
  • Food Preparation, 7%
  • Customer Complaints, 5%
  • POS, 5%
  • Food Orders, 4%
  • Safety Procedures, 4%
Common lead server skills
  • Customer Service, 22%
  • New Servers, 11%
  • Fine Dining, 9%
  • POS, 7%
  • Food Service, 6%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 4%

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs