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The differences between restaurant cashiers and food runners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a food runner has an average salary of $25,536, which is higher than the $25,120 average annual salary of a restaurant cashier.
The top three skills for a restaurant cashier include cleanliness, customer service and cash registers. The most important skills for a food runner are cleanliness, wine, and culinary.
| Restaurant Cashier | Food Runner | |
| Yearly salary | $25,120 | $25,536 |
| Hourly rate | $12.08 | $12.28 |
| Growth rate | -10% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 131,740 | 240,853 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Average age | 34 | 23 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A restaurant cashier is primarily in charge of processing payments at restaurants. They operate cash registers, process credit and debit card payments, accept cash payments, and resolve customer issues and concerns should there be any. There are also instances where they assist customers by answering inquiries and offering promotions, help staff with their tasks, and report to managers. Moreover, restaurant cashiers must be alert for any pricing inconsistencies and be knowledgeable of menus and procedures for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Food Runners are responsible for assisting waitstaff on serving customers at a restaurant or similar establishment. Among their duties include maintaining cleanliness in particular areas, setting tables, refilling drinks, assisting customers with everything that they need, and coordinating with the workforce in and out of the kitchen. Furthermore, Food Runners need to ensure that all deliveries are accurate according to what is ordered by a customer. It is essential to stay presentable and helpful at all times as the main priority is customer satisfaction.
Restaurant cashiers and food runners have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Restaurant Cashier | Food Runner | |
| Average salary | $25,120 | $25,536 |
| Salary range | Between $18,000 And $33,000 | Between $18,000 And $34,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Vermont |
| Best paying company | Erickson Senior Living | University of Massachusetts Boston |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a restaurant cashier and a food runner in terms of educational background:
| Restaurant Cashier | Food Runner | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between restaurant cashiers' and food runners' demographics:
| Restaurant Cashier | Food Runner | |
| Average age | 34 | 23 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 27.5% Female, 72.5% | Male, 59.0% Female, 41.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 9.5% White, 51.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | 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 Percentage | 5% | 8% |