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Informal waiter/waitress vs caterer/server

The differences between informal waiter/waitresses and caterer/servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a caterer/server has an average salary of $33,737, which is higher than the $24,354 average annual salary of an informal waiter/waitress.

The top three skills for an informal waiter/waitress include beverage orders, waiter and customer service. The most important skills for a caterer/server are customer service, food service, and wine.

Informal waiter/waitress vs caterer/server overview

Informal Waiter/WaitressCaterer/Server
Yearly salary$24,354$33,737
Hourly rate$11.71$16.22
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs3,660105,138
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age2828
Years of experience--

Informal waiter/waitress vs caterer/server salary

Informal waiter/waitresses and caterer/servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Informal Waiter/WaitressCaterer/Server
Average salary$24,354$33,737
Salary rangeBetween $16,000 And $36,000Between $24,000 And $46,000
Highest paying CitySaratoga Springs, NYSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNew YorkWashington
Best paying companyAspen SnowmassLunds & Byerlys
Best paying industryHospitalityFinance

Differences between informal waiter/waitress and caterer/server education

There are a few differences between an informal waiter/waitress and a caterer/server in terms of educational background:

Informal Waiter/WaitressCaterer/Server
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Informal waiter/waitress vs caterer/server demographics

Here are the differences between informal waiter/waitresses' and caterer/servers' demographics:

Informal Waiter/WaitressCaterer/Server
Average age2828
Gender ratioMale, 23.3% Female, 76.7%Male, 36.9% Female, 63.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 8.7% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 8.1% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between informal waiter/waitress and caterer/server duties and responsibilities

Informal waiter/waitress example responsibilities.

  • Train in bartending duties, knowledgeable of preparation of alcoholic beverages.
  • Request and record customer orders, and totale orders using the POS system.
  • Help bartending when staff are short.
  • Fix POS computers, printers, and credit card systems above and beyond job responsibilities.
  • Start as a busboy and are quickly promote to a waiter when a spot are made available.
  • Develop relationships with regular patrons; develop an understanding of their personal needs and expectations, including preferences and food allergies.
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Caterer/server example responsibilities.

  • Experience caterer, providing services from assembling full-service buffets to serving guests at outside catering events and private parties at restaurants.
  • Handle cash and credit transactions accurately through the provided POS system
  • Perform accurate POS system transactions for in-seat patrons; beverage and alcohol orders.
  • Monitor and maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and organization of assign stations and service areas.
  • Experience training new employees, working as a server, service bartending, as well as catering large events.
  • Inventory control, stocking food and beverage trail, planning events, bartending, catering, and serving guest at parties.
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Informal waiter/waitress vs caterer/server skills

Common informal waiter/waitress skills
  • Beverage Orders, 48%
  • Waiter, 18%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Food Service, 9%
  • Fine Dining, 3%
  • Wine, 2%
Common caterer/server skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Food Service, 9%
  • Wine, 8%
  • Exceptional Guest, 7%
  • Cleanliness, 7%
  • Work Ethic, 7%

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