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Kitchen staff vs line server

The differences between kitchen staff and line servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a kitchen staff has an average salary of $29,816, which is higher than the $28,300 average annual salary of a line server.

The top three skills for a kitchen staff include food handling, cleanliness and sanitation standards. The most important skills for a line server are customer service, quality customer service, and exceptional guest.

Kitchen staff vs line server overview

Kitchen StaffLine Server
Yearly salary$29,816$28,300
Hourly rate$14.33$13.61
Growth rate2%14%
Number of jobs154,513246,165
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 43%High School Diploma, 49%
Average age3723
Years of experience--

What does a kitchen staff do?

The kitchen staff consists of preparation workers who execute several routine tasks as directed by chefs, food service managers, and cooks. These works should have the ability to follow cooking instructions and deliver well-prepared meals. Their responsibilities include the cleanup of dishes, cooking equipment, and the working stations. They also take charge of food safety regulations, storing and sorting of ingredients, and preparing foodstuff.

What does a line server do?

A line server is responsible for assisting the guests with their needs to ensure an overall satisfying dining experience with the highest quality service. Line servers take and verify guests' orders, provide recommendation for orders, respond to the guests' inquiries regarding the menu, manage the food preparation and serving, assist guests with additional requests, and ensure strict adherence to the sanitary standards and hygienic procedures at all times. Line servers must have excellent communication and time-management skills to interact with different guests and identify their dining needs.

Kitchen staff vs line server salary

Kitchen staff and line servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Kitchen StaffLine Server
Average salary$29,816$28,300
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $37,000Between $21,000 And $36,000
Highest paying CityRedwood City, CA-
Highest paying stateWashington-
Best paying companyThe Road Home-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between kitchen staff and line server education

There are a few differences between a kitchen staff and a line server in terms of educational background:

Kitchen StaffLine Server
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 43%High School Diploma, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Kitchen staff vs line server demographics

Here are the differences between kitchen staff' and line servers' demographics:

Kitchen StaffLine Server
Average age3723
Gender ratioMale, 56.5% Female, 43.5%Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 7.0% White, 59.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%8%

Differences between kitchen staff and line server duties and responsibilities

Kitchen staff example responsibilities.

  • Assist the catering manager to manage, prepare, cook and deliver each day s caterings.
  • Present an enjoyable and positive atmosphere while preparing an outstanding product, manage inventory, and maintain cleanliness
  • Conduct daily inspections for overall cleanliness of all areas and proper sanitizing of food preparation surfaces.
  • Increase sales by upselling and signing customers up for discount cards
  • Prep food for dinner dishes, bar back, work on fryers, and wash dishes.
  • Cook, wash dishes, serve customers, prepare food for caterings, and stock shelves.
  • Show more

Line server example responsibilities.

  • Customer-Orient fast food worker with deep experience with POS systems, food preparation and safety regulations.
  • Experience with making smoothies and hot beverages while making sure customers are satisfied.
  • Take food and drink orders and receive payment from customers, accurately process payment methods via POS system.
  • Establish a positive relationship with co-workers and managers through a solid work ethic, positive attitude, punctuality and dependability.
  • Operate a commercial dishwasher to clean and sanitize flatware, glassware, utensils, and pots and pans.
  • Set correct water temperature and correct amount of dish soap for dishwasher to ensure dishes are clean and sanitize.
  • Show more

Kitchen staff vs line server skills

Common kitchen staff skills
  • Food Handling, 25%
  • Cleanliness, 21%
  • Sanitation Standards, 13%
  • Quality Food, 9%
  • Food Products, 7%
  • Meal Preparation, 5%
Common line server skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Quality Customer Service, 20%
  • Exceptional Guest, 7%
  • Excellent Guest, 6%
  • Safety Standards, 4%
  • Food Safety, 3%

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