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How to hire a lead server

Lead server hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring lead servers in the United States:

  • There are a total of 89,241 lead servers in the US, and there are currently 123,215 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a lead server is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per lead server on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Chicago, IL, has the highest demand for lead servers, with 4 job openings.

How to hire a lead server, step by step

To hire a lead server, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a lead server:

Here's a step-by-step lead server hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a lead server job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new lead server
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a lead server do?

A lead server is responsible for assisting the guests' needs, responding to their inquiries, and immediately addressing their dining concerns. Lead servers ensure the timely and accurate serving of orders, offering promotional menus and other additional services. Lead servers must have excellent communication skills to interact with the guests, as well as time-management and multitasking skills to perform duties in the fast-paced environment. They also help in developing strategic procedures and food menu recommendations by researching on the latest food trends in the industry to generate revenues and attract more customers.

Learn more about the specifics of what a lead server does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your lead server job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a lead server for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a lead server to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a lead server that fits the bill.

    The following list breaks down different types of lead servers and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Lead ServerDescriptionHourly rate
    Lead ServerWaiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and beverages to customers in dining establishments.$5-33
    Cocktail WaitressA cocktail waitress, or often called a cocktail server, is a female server who serves alcoholic beverages and food to patrons in nightclubs and bars. Cocktail waitresses are required to interact with customers by taking their food orders, serving them food and drinks, and then processing payments... Show more$9-17
    WaitressWaitresses are responsible for ensuring that guests are given proper attention during their visit to the restaurant. They guide guests to their table, provide menu boards, answer any questions the guests may have, take the guests' order, and communicate the order to the kitchen... Show more$8-16
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Customer Service
    • New Servers
    • Fine Dining
    • POS
    • Food Service
    • Guest Satisfaction
    • Food Preparation
    • Alcoholic Beverages
    • Beverage Orders
    • Beverage Service
    • Bartending
    • Windows
    • Pleasant Dining
    • Food Orders
    Check all skills
    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 . )
    More lead server duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the lead server job description is a good way to get more applicants. A lead server salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for a lead server in Montana may be lower than in Hawaii, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level lead server. Additionally, a lead server with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average lead server salary

    $13.79hourly

    $28,677 yearly

    Entry-level lead server salary
    $11,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 16, 2025

    Average lead server salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New York$50,650$24
    2Massachusetts$49,505$24
    3California$48,263$23
    4Connecticut$47,358$23
    5New Jersey$45,841$22
    6Washington$43,297$21
    7Rhode Island$41,815$20
    8Maryland$40,688$20
    9Oregon$38,999$19
    10Pennsylvania$37,538$18
    11Virginia$36,330$17
    12Arizona$30,051$14
    13Michigan$29,125$14
    14Illinois$28,617$14
    15Colorado$27,235$13
    16Ohio$27,183$13
    17North Carolina$26,586$13
    18Georgia$25,859$12
    19Wisconsin$24,968$12
    20Texas$24,558$12

    Average lead server salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Microsoft$127,280$61.19
    2Cisco$117,089$56.298
    3Morgan Stanley$114,251$54.93
    4Capgemini$114,209$54.91
    5Solera$110,605$53.18
    6Thomson Reuters$89,382$42.97
    7Broadridge$84,660$40.701
    8Xcel Energy$78,129$37.56
    9AmeriHealth Caritas$71,496$34.37
    10Liberty HomeCare and Hospice$68,597$32.984
    11FM Global$68,058$32.722
    12Medline$67,143$32.28
    13Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants$67,067$32.24177
    14American Senior Benefits$63,659$30.615
    15The Culinary Institute of America$61,237$29.44
    16Wyndham Hotels & Resorts$56,303$27.071
    17ngmoco$55,207$26.54
    18Electronic Arts$55,152$26.52
    19ZeniMax Media$54,837$26.36
    20Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center$50,588$24.32
  4. Writing a lead server job description

    A lead server job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a lead server job description:

    Lead server job description example


    At Delaware North, we care about our associates' professional and personal wellbeing. We have a comprehensive benefits program designed to give our associates the comfort, safety, and stability they need to deliver exceptional service to our guests. All associates are eligible for benefits including weekly pay, employee assistance program, training and development, employee discounts, and flexible work schedules. Medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with company match, paid vacation and holidays, and tuition reimbursement are available for eligible associates.

    Responsibilities
    • Lead and direct catering associates. Serve as a role model.
    • Conduct daily function meetings with banquet managers and associates before events.
    • Ensure all company policies, service procedures, and safety standards are followed.
    • Maintain communication with both the banquet and kitchen team to ensure guests receive the best quality service and experience.
    • Other duties assigned.
    Qualifications
    • Previous supervisory or lead experience preferred, 6 months to 1 year experience in a hotel, restaurant, catering facility, or club environment preferred.
    • Must have full, open work availibility, including weekends.
    • Excellent customer service and employee relations skills.
    Physical Requirements
    • Ability to lift or carry up to 50 lbs.
    • Ability to stand and walk entire length of shift.
    • Possible exposure to a high volume of noise.
    Who We Are

    Delaware North has operated concessions, premium dining and restaurants at the Green Bay Packers' Lambeau Field since 2012. At Titletown we manage The Turn, featuring Topgolf Swing Suites, and operate special events including seasonal sledding and ice skating.

    At Delaware North, you'll love where you work, who you work with, and how your day unfolds. Whether it's in sporting venues, casinos, airports, national parks, iconic hotels, or premier restaurants, there's no telling where your career can ultimately take you. We empower you to do great work in a company with 100 years of success, stability and growth. If you have drive and enjoy the thrill of making things happen - share our vision and grow with us.

    Delaware North Companies, Incorporated and its subsidiaries consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. Delaware North is an equal opportunity employer.

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right lead server for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your lead server job on Zippia to find and recruit lead server candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit lead servers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new lead server

    Once you've decided on a perfect lead server candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new lead server. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a lead server?

Hiring a lead server comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting lead servers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of lead server recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

Lead servers earn a median yearly salary is $28,677 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find lead servers for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $5 and $33.

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