Server and hostess vs banquet server

The differences between server and hostesses and banquet servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a banquet server has an average salary of $29,017, which is higher than the $28,020 average annual salary of a server and hostess.

The top three skills for a server and hostess include POS, food preparation and food orders. The most important skills for a banquet server are wine, cleanliness, and food service.

Server and hostess vs banquet server overview

	Server And Hostess	Banquet Server
Yearly salary	$28,020	$29,017
Hourly rate	$13.47	$13.95
Growth rate	10%	10%
Number of jobs	97,109	125,381
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Average age	28	28
Years of experience	-	-

What does a server and hostess do?

A server and hostess is an employee who plays the dual role of both a hostess and a server. As implied by this, a server and hostess is in-charge of welcoming guests as they enter the restaurant, ensuring that the guests' tables are ready before leading them to their assigned tables, handing over the menu, and waiting for the guests to finalize their order. Once the guests are ready to order, the server and hostess takes on the server role by bringing the guests' order to the kitchen, waiting for the food to be ready, and bringing the food to the guests' table.

What does a banquet server do?

A banquet server is responsible for assisting guests in food catering events. Banquet servers' duties include arranging tables as the client desires, preparing the catering setup, refilling foods and beverages, managing guests' inquiries and possible complaints, keeping the food area clean, and maintaining the highest sanitation standards for the guests' best banquet experience. A banquet server should have excellent communication and time-management skills, especially on serving guests that would require utmost care and safe handling.

Server and hostess vs banquet server salary

Server and hostesses and banquet servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Server And Hostess	Banquet Server
Average salary	$28,020	$29,017
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $37,000	Between $20,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Binghamton, NY	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	New York	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Blue Dolphin Energy	Endicott College
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Professional

Differences between server and hostess and banquet server education

There are a few differences between a server and hostess and a banquet server in terms of educational background:

	Server And Hostess	Banquet Server
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Server and hostess vs banquet server demographics

Here are the differences between server and hostesses' and banquet servers' demographics:

	Server And Hostess	Banquet Server
Average age	28	28
Gender ratio	Male, 18.3% Female, 81.7%	Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 8.2% White, 53.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 7.9% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between server and hostess and banquet server duties and responsibilities

Server and hostess example responsibilities.

Assist guests in booking reservations and manage guest history data using OpenTable reservation system.
Provide quality customer service, process customer transactions utilizing proprietary POS system, skillfully handle cash and credit card transactions.
Perform bartending duties during busy events or whenever require.
Coordinate with kitchen managerial staff using POS systems to ensure timely and accurate order preparation.
Provide guests with an excellent dining experience by asking questions about allergies or preferences and initiating conversation for customer confidence.
Manage expediter window paying close attention to garnishes and presentation.

Banquet server example responsibilities.

Provide professional bartending and hospitality services to optimize customer service experiences for private, corporate, and public events.
Create PowerPoint food presentations for training purposes.
Gain skills in customer dining service, hospitality and compassion.
Analyze BEOs to ensure rooms are prepare each day for schedule events.
Organize and run every event book through cold calling or past guests.
Review BEOs in order to ensure proper room setup and A/V requests are meet.

Server and hostess vs banquet server skills

Common server and hostess skills

POS, 11%
Food Preparation, 10%
Food Orders, 9%
Customer Orders, 7%
Customer Service, 6%
Drink Orders, 5%

Common banquet server skills

Wine, 12%
Cleanliness, 10%
Food Service, 9%
Customer Service, 6%
Professional Appearance, 5%
Beverage Service, 5%

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Server And Hostess
Server And Hostess vs Banquet Server

Updated January 8, 2025

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