Host/waiter vs server

The differences between host/waiters and servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a server has an average salary of $29,901, which is higher than the $25,593 average annual salary of a host/waiter.

The top three skills for a host/waiter include customer service, food handling and waiter. The most important skills for a server are wine, customer service, and guest satisfaction.

Host/waiter vs server overview

	Host/Waiter	Server
Yearly salary	$25,593	$29,901
Hourly rate	$12.30	$14.38
Growth rate	10%	10%
Number of jobs	73,399	162,734
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age	28	28
Years of experience	-	-

Host/waiter vs server salary

Host/waiters and servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Host/Waiter	Server
Average salary	$25,593	$29,901
Salary range	Between $18,000 And $34,000	Between $21,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	-	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	-	New York
Best paying company	-	Dell
Best paying industry	-	Hospitality

Differences between host/waiter and server education

There are a few differences between a host/waiter and a server in terms of educational background:

	Host/Waiter	Server
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Host/waiter vs server demographics

Here are the differences between host/waiters' and servers' demographics:

	Host/Waiter	Server
Average age	28	28
Gender ratio	Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0%	Male, 32.0% Female, 68.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 22.2% Asian, 10.1% White, 50.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 8.2% White, 54.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between host/waiter and server duties and responsibilities

Host/waiter example responsibilities.

Manage restaurant sections in order to equalize seating arrangements for each waiter and ensure the restaurant are stocked and well maintain.
Train employees on job duties and POS system.
Edit POS system to adjust for changes in prices and new inventory to assist ease of usage for employees.
Establish a positive relationship with co-workers and managers through a solid work ethic, positive attitude, punctuality and dependability.
Maximize profits by upselling food and alcoholic beverages and utilizing excellent customer service skills to ensure guests repeat business.

Server example responsibilities.

Manage expediter window paying close attention to garnishes and presentation.
Provide exceptional customer service, while frequently checking for food allergies, by utilizing excellent communication and multitasking skills.
Maximize profits by upselling food and alcoholic beverages and utilizing excellent customer service skills to ensure guests repeat business.
Clean bars, work areas, and tables.
Provide exceptional service to guests with charm, professionalism, respect, and bright personality.
Embrace serving on a more personal level due the quaint, small-town charm of the location.

Host/waiter vs server skills

Common host/waiter skills

Customer Service, 27%
Food Handling, 21%
Waiter, 10%
Food Orders, 6%
Food Preparation, 5%
Customer Orders, 3%

Common server skills

Wine, 15%
Customer Service, 10%
Guest Satisfaction, 8%
Cleanliness, 7%
Cash Handling, 7%
POS, 6%

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Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Host/Waiter
Host/Waiter vs Server

Updated January 8, 2025

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