Server and hostess vs cook/server

The differences between server and hostesses and cook/servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cook/server has an average salary of $29,716, 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 cook/server are customer service, customer orders, and safety standards.

Server and hostess vs cook/server overview

	Server And Hostess	Cook/Server
Yearly salary	$28,020	$29,716
Hourly rate	$13.47	$14.29
Growth rate	10%	14%
Number of jobs	97,109	257,582
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	High School Diploma, 52%
Average age	28	23
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 cook/server do?

Cooks/servers are employees who take on the dual role of being a cook and a server in the restaurant. They are usually trained cooks who are in charge of preparing meals for the guests. They prepare ingredients, cook them according to the recipe, and serve them to guests. They are responsible for ensuring that the food is prepared and served to guests within the promised time. They are in charge of managing the pantry, ensuring that the stock is fresh, and checking whether the stock is low. They are expected to have culinary skills, precision, and time management skills.

Server and hostess vs cook/server salary

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

	Server And Hostess	Cook/Server
Average salary	$28,020	$29,716
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $37,000	Between $23,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City	Binghamton, NY	Bellingham, WA
Highest paying state	New York	Alaska
Best paying company	Blue Dolphin Energy	The Harley School
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Retail

Differences between server and hostess and cook/server education

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

	Server And Hostess	Cook/Server
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	High School Diploma, 52%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Server and hostess vs cook/server demographics

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

	Server And Hostess	Cook/Server
Average age	28	23
Gender ratio	Male, 18.3% Female, 81.7%	Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1%
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, 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	6%	8%

Differences between server and hostess and cook/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.

Cook/server example responsibilities.

Develop ability to manage multiple stations simultaneously while maintaining high levels of culinary excellence.
Assist customers, bag groceries, replenish carts, and clean store.
Pay close attention to detail while multitasking between communicating over the intercom, utilizing the POS, and order placing.
Make smoothies, coffee, customer service, cashier, fill bakery cooler, inventory, stock, and clean!
Operate the filtration system used for the fryers to keep all sanitation guidelines up to standards as per the health department.
Operate, and maintain clean and safe cooking equipment like pressure cooker deep fryers, plate grills, and deep fryers.

Server and hostess vs cook/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 cook/server skills

Customer Service, 41%
Customer Orders, 8%
Safety Standards, 6%
Food Preparation, 5%
Kitchen Equipment, 4%
POS, 4%

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Server And Hostess
Server And Hostess vs Cook/Server

Updated January 8, 2025

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