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Server/barista vs beverage server

The differences between server/baristas and beverage servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a server/barista has an average salary of $30,749, which is higher than the $25,886 average annual salary of a beverage server.

The top three skills for a server/barista include cleanliness, wine and customer service. The most important skills for a beverage server are drink orders, guest service, and beverage orders.

Server/barista vs beverage server overview

Server/BaristaBeverage Server
Yearly salary$30,749$25,886
Hourly rate$14.78$12.45
Growth rate14%10%
Number of jobs173,07379,100
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age2328
Years of experience--

What does a server/barista do?

A server/barista is someone who makes and serves beverages and foods, such as coffee, tea, and sandwiches or baked goods. He/She or she should be able to explain menu items to customers to ensure customer satisfaction. Other responsibilities include knowing food and beverage quality controls and updating displays to attract customers. The core skills that a server/barista should possess include excellent listening and communication skills and the ability to cope up with a physically demanding work environment. A candidate with a high school diploma or equivalent could qualify for the position.

What does a beverage server do?

A beverage server specializes in mixing and preparing drinks, serving them to customers courteously. Their responsibilities also include greeting the customers, taking orders, answering inquiries, offering recommendations when necessary, and checking the customers' identification to confirm their ages. They may also provide assistance to managers by monitoring beverage inventories, receiving and unloading deliveries, organizing supplies and equipment, and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas. Moreover, as a beverage server, it is essential to have a clear communication line with co-workers for smooth work operations.

Server/barista vs beverage server salary

Server/baristas and beverage servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Server/BaristaBeverage Server
Average salary$30,749$25,886
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $40,000Between $20,000 And $33,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between server/barista and beverage server education

There are a few differences between a server/barista and a beverage server in terms of educational background:

Server/BaristaBeverage Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common college--

Server/barista vs beverage server demographics

Here are the differences between server/baristas' and beverage servers' demographics:

Server/BaristaBeverage Server
Average age2328
Gender ratioMale, 28.2% Female, 71.8%Male, 13.6% Female, 86.4%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 8.3% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%6%

Differences between server/barista and beverage server duties and responsibilities

Server/barista example responsibilities.

  • Open and close the cafe, work a POS system, manage inventory, stock the cafe.
  • Practice organization and cleanliness while managing individual tasks.
  • Greet and seat customer, take orders through POS system, and deliver food and drinks to customers.
  • Cash handling experience, maintain cleanliness of restaurant, ensure customer satisfaction through superior customer interaction.
  • Maintain regular and consistent attendance and punctuality as well as trained new team members with positive reinforcement and respectfully encouraging coaching
  • Maintain an organize and time sensitive backroom with various perishables.
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Beverage server example responsibilities.

  • Open and close the register, provide credit card and cash reports, and batches on POS.
  • Learned more about different liquor, cocktails and wine, drink mixes and special drink of the month.
  • Work with large amounts of cash as well as credit cards, and knowledge of the POS system.
  • Present menus to guest, answer and give information about menu items such as wine selections to pair with meal.
  • Maintain cleanliness in assign section utilizing a silent service approach.
  • Supervise daily operations to ensure food safety, product preparation, cleanliness standards are maintain.
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Server/barista vs beverage server skills

Common server/barista skills
  • Cleanliness, 24%
  • Wine, 17%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Multitasking, 10%
  • Presentation Standards, 9%
  • POS, 4%
Common beverage server skills
  • Drink Orders, 10%
  • Guest Service, 9%
  • Beverage Orders, 8%
  • Exceptional Guest, 6%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 5%
  • Professional Appearance, 5%

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