Server and hostess vs waitstaff

The differences between server and hostesses and waitstaffs can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a server and hostess has an average salary of $28,020, which is higher than the $25,104 average annual salary of a waitstaff.

The top three skills for a server and hostess include POS, food preparation and food orders. The most important skills for a waitstaff are food service, beverage orders, and culinary.

Server and hostess vs waitstaff overview

	Server And Hostess	Waitstaff
Yearly salary	$28,020	$25,104
Hourly rate	$13.47	$12.07
Growth rate	10%	10%
Number of jobs	97,109	130,467
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
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 waitstaff do?

The waitstaff takes responsibility for tasks like recommending dishes based on the tastes and preferences of guests, accepting payments, and taking orders. Waitstaff delivers food to tables, ensures outstanding guest experience, and accepts payments. They work with diligence to get outstanding service quality and work with the other staff. It is part of their job to show customers their seats and provide menu options. They attend to tables for food service and guarantee cleanliness standard compliance.

Server and hostess vs waitstaff salary

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

	Server And Hostess	Waitstaff
Average salary	$28,020	$25,104
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $37,000	Between $19,000 And $32,000
Highest paying City	Binghamton, NY	Falmouth, MA
Highest paying state	New York	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Blue Dolphin Energy	Mayo Clinic
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Health Care

Differences between server and hostess and waitstaff education

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

	Server And Hostess	Waitstaff
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Server and hostess vs waitstaff demographics

Here are the differences between server and hostesses' and waitstaffs' demographics:

	Server And Hostess	Waitstaff
Average age	28	28
Gender ratio	Male, 18.3% Female, 81.7%	Male, 27.3% Female, 72.7%
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, 10.3% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 8.4% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between server and hostess and waitstaff 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.

Waitstaff example responsibilities.

Set up, work in, and manage the private room events as both bartender and waiter.
Assist with stocking of pantry when groceries arrive.
Cater private events and perform light bartending duties.
Increase total restaurant sales by upselling specials and top-shelf liquors.
Work regularly on the pass as well as a waiter.
Offer meal suggestions base on diverse culinary repertoire and expert food knowledge.

Server and hostess vs waitstaff skills

Common server and hostess skills

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

Common waitstaff skills

Food Service, 23%
Beverage Orders, 19%
Culinary, 19%
Team Work, 16%
Meal Orders, 8%
Wine, 3%

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Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Server And Hostess
Server And Hostess vs Waitstaff

Updated January 8, 2025

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