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Restaurant server education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Usually, restaurant servers don't need a college education. The most common degree for restaurant servers is bachelor's degree with 48% graduates, with only 22% restaurant server graduates earning high school diploma. Restaurant servers who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Phoenix or University of Central Florida. Some good skills to have in this position include wine, exceptional dining and guest satisfaction.

Popular restaurant server certifications include Hospital Medicine, Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS), or Certified Sales Professional (CSP). To improve restaurant server qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in restaurant server education paths.

What education do you need to become a restaurant server?

What degree do you need to be a restaurant server?

The most common degree for restaurant servers is bachelor's degree, with 48% of restaurant servers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 22% and high school diploma degree at 19%.
  • Bachelor's, 48%
  • High School Diploma, 22%
  • Associate, 19%
  • Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become a restaurant server?

You should major in business to become a restaurant server. 20% of restaurant servers major in business. Other common majors for a restaurant server include psychology and hospitality management.

Best majors for restaurant servers

RankMajorPercentages
1Business19.6%
2Psychology8.3%
3Hospitality Management7.0%
4Communication6.7%
5General Studies6.3%

20 best online courses for restaurant servers

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1. SAP Customer Service (CS/SM) - Service Management module

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5. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience

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6. Customer Service

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How to Approach New Customers and Maintain Existing Ones...

7. [2023] Customer Service 2.0: Learn Digital Customer Service

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Used by Chase®, Intel®, & more! Learn soft skills, social media customer service, diagnosing user problems, & more...

8. Customer Service Success: Take Your Skills to the Next Level

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3-in-1 Customer Service Training: Levels 1, 2, 3 Improve Your Soft Communication Skills, Customer Support & Experience...

9. Fundamentals of Logistics, Supply Chain & Customer Service

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Learn Logistics, Supply Chain and Customer Service. 3 Courses in 1...

10. The Customer: Build a Customer Service Strategy (BITE SIZE)

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17. Your Customer Service Toolbox: Best Practices for Beginners

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19. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

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Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...

20. Customer Service: How to sell more without advertising

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Learn how to create a customer experience that earns you customer loyalty and creates word of mouth advertising...

Average restaurant server salary by education level

Restaurant servers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $29,174 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, restaurant servers earn a median annual income of $28,107 compared to $26,578 for restaurant servers with an Associate degree.
Restaurant server education levelRestaurant server salary
Master's Degree$29,174
High School Diploma or Less$25,133
Bachelor's Degree$28,107
Some College/ Associate Degree$26,578

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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