Server and hostess vs line cook

The differences between server and hostesses and line cooks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a line cook has an average salary of $32,894, 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 line cook are culinary, sanitation standards, and food handling.

Server and hostess vs line cook overview

	Server And Hostess	Line Cook
Yearly salary	$28,020	$32,894
Hourly rate	$13.47	$15.81
Growth rate	10%	16%
Number of jobs	97,109	168,993
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	High School Diploma, 36%
Average age	28	38
Years of experience	-	4

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 line cook do?

Line cooks are responsible for preparing meals for guests or employers. The term line cook brings to mind an assembly line. This is apt because line cooks are usually assigned to a specific station to work on a specific part of a meal or a preparation process. They are part of a bigger group of cooks in the restaurant. This is done so that meal preparation is more efficient. Line cooks are responsible for preparing ingredients, ensuring that the pantry is well-stocked, and doing their assigned activity in the line. They are expected to be good team players, have experience as a cook, and be able to follow recipes and provide alternatives when necessary.

Server and hostess vs line cook salary

Server and hostesses and line cooks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Server And Hostess	Line Cook
Average salary	$28,020	$32,894
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $37,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Binghamton, NY	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	New York	Hawaii
Best paying company	Blue Dolphin Energy	Gate City Bank
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Hospitality

Differences between server and hostess and line cook education

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

	Server And Hostess	Line Cook
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	High School Diploma, 36%
Most common major	Business	Culinary Arts
Most common college	-	-

Server and hostess vs line cook demographics

Here are the differences between server and hostesses' and line cooks' demographics:

	Server And Hostess	Line Cook
Average age	28	38
Gender ratio	Male, 18.3% Female, 81.7%	Male, 73.1% Female, 26.9%
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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 8.9% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between server and hostess and line cook 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.

Line cook example responsibilities.

Used strong organizational skills to manage steamers efficiently for both eat-in and take-out services.
Supervise cooks and manage the preparation, portioning, garnishing, and storage of all food items, cutting meat size.
Manage the POS system (adding/deleting specials, editing prices, viewing server appetizer/dessert sales and their server report information).
Operate mixers and manage ingredients to meet product quality and uniformity standards.
Used equipment such as meat slicers, salamanders and steamers.
Develop food preparation skills and knowledge of tools involve; such as proper use of knives and automate slicers.

Server and hostess vs line cook skills

Common server and hostess skills

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

Common line cook skills

Culinary, 12%
Sanitation Standards, 11%
Food Handling, 11%
Team Work, 9%
Kitchen Equipment, 8%
Cleanliness, 8%

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Server And Hostess
Server And Hostess vs Line Cook

Updated January 8, 2025

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