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Lead server vs cocktail waitress

The differences between lead servers and cocktail waitresses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead server has an average salary of $28,677, which is higher than the $26,819 average annual salary of a cocktail waitress.

The top three skills for a lead server include customer service, new servers and fine dining. The most important skills for a cocktail waitress are customer service, drink orders, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Lead server vs cocktail waitress overview

Lead ServerCocktail Waitress
Yearly salary$28,677$26,819
Hourly rate$13.79$12.89
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs123,21577,429
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age2828
Years of experience--

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.

What does a cocktail waitress do?

A 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. To serve proper alcoholic drinks to customers, cocktail waitresses must be well informed about the drinks they serve, such as wine, beer, and cocktails. They also assist in checking identification to ensure that customers are of legal age to buy alcoholic drinks.

Lead server vs cocktail waitress salary

Lead servers and cocktail waitresses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead ServerCocktail Waitress
Average salary$28,677$26,819
Salary rangeBetween $11,000 And $70,000Between $19,000 And $36,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NY-
Highest paying stateHawaii-
Best paying companyMicrosoft-
Best paying industryHospitality-

Differences between lead server and cocktail waitress education

There are a few differences between a lead server and a cocktail waitress in terms of educational background:

Lead ServerCocktail Waitress
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Lead server vs cocktail waitress demographics

Here are the differences between lead servers' and cocktail waitresses' demographics:

Lead ServerCocktail Waitress
Average age2828
Gender ratioMale, 37.5% Female, 62.5%Male, 5.7% Female, 94.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 8.7% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 21.6% Asian, 7.8% White, 53.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between lead server and cocktail waitress duties and responsibilities

Lead server example 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 . )
  • Show more

Cocktail waitress example responsibilities.

  • Offer first--class customer service to ensure VIP guests enjoy their club experiences in very fast--pace environment.
  • Relay orders to bar and kitchen quickly and accurately recording guest selections and keying into the POS system.
  • Assist bar tenders in peak hours and cash out customers as they exit the restaurant (POS cash register system).
  • Serve customers alcoholic beverages and accommodate VIP and special requests
  • Establish a positive relationship with co-workers and managers through a solid work ethic, positive attitude, punctuality and dependability.
  • Uphold a high level of professionalism, service, and attentiveness to guests.

Lead server vs cocktail waitress skills

Common lead server skills
  • Customer Service, 22%
  • New Servers, 11%
  • Fine Dining, 9%
  • POS, 7%
  • Food Service, 6%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 4%
Common cocktail waitress skills
  • Customer Service, 29%
  • Drink Orders, 10%
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 8%
  • POS, 8%
  • Beverage Orders, 5%
  • Bartending, 4%

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