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Head waitress vs restaurant server

The differences between head waitresses and restaurant servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a head waitress has an average salary of $27,306, which is higher than the $24,558 average annual salary of a restaurant server.

The top three skills for a head waitress include customer service, food preparation and customer complaints. The most important skills for a restaurant server are wine, exceptional dining, and guest satisfaction.

Head waitress vs restaurant server overview

Head WaitressRestaurant Server
Yearly salary$27,306$24,558
Hourly rate$13.13$11.81
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs72,324141,250
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age2828
Years of experience--

Head waitress vs restaurant server salary

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

Head WaitressRestaurant Server
Average salary$27,306$24,558
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $38,000Between $15,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry-Agriculture

Differences between head waitress and restaurant server education

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

Head WaitressRestaurant Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Head waitress vs restaurant server demographics

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

Head WaitressRestaurant Server
Average age2828
Gender ratioMale, 4.8% Female, 95.2%Male, 40.8% Female, 59.2%
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, 10.9% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 9.4% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between head waitress and restaurant 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.
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Restaurant server example responsibilities.

  • Demonstrate adequate culinary and Italian wine knowledge through suggestive selling.
  • Input orders in micros and issue guest check for each order.
  • Prepare the groceries for the customer in their request baggage handing.3.
  • Maintain clean, sanitize FOH area and ensure health & safety and hygiene procedures and standards are meet.
  • Work with operations manager in ordering and setting up all FOH systems need in opening a new restaurant.
  • Provide thorough knowledge of the restaurant's menu to make recommendations or answer questions, and enter POS charges.
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Head waitress vs restaurant server skills

Common head waitress skills
  • Customer Service, 32%
  • Food Preparation, 7%
  • Customer Complaints, 5%
  • POS, 5%
  • Food Orders, 4%
  • Safety Procedures, 4%
Common restaurant server skills
  • Wine, 28%
  • Exceptional Dining, 6%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 5%
  • Cleanliness, 5%
  • POS, 5%
  • Food Service, 5%

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