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Server and hostess vs lead server

The differences between server and hostesses and lead servers 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 $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 lead server are customer service, new servers, and fine dining.

Server and hostess vs lead server overview

Server And HostessLead Server
Yearly salary$28,020$28,677
Hourly rate$13.47$13.79
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs97,109123,215
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age2828
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 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.

Server and hostess vs lead server salary

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

Server And HostessLead Server
Average salary$28,020$28,677
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $37,000Between $11,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityBinghamton, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkHawaii
Best paying companyBlue Dolphin EnergyMicrosoft
Best paying industryHospitalityHospitality

Differences between server and hostess and lead server education

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

Server And HostessLead Server
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Server and hostess vs lead server demographics

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

Server And HostessLead Server
Average age2828
Gender ratioMale, 18.3% Female, 81.7%Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5%
Race ratioBlack 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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 8.7% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between server and hostess and lead 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.

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

Server and hostess vs lead 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 lead server skills
  • Customer Service, 22%
  • New Servers, 11%
  • Fine Dining, 9%
  • POS, 7%
  • Food Service, 6%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 4%

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