Post job

Server/barista vs cafe server

The differences between server/baristas and cafe 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 $26,967 average annual salary of a cafe server.

The top three skills for a server/barista include cleanliness, wine and customer service. The most important skills for a cafe server are cleanliness, support tasks, and customer satisfaction.

Server/barista vs cafe server overview

Server/BaristaCafe Server
Yearly salary$30,749$26,967
Hourly rate$14.78$12.96
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs173,073188,740
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age2323
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 cafe server do?

A cafe server is responsible for serving customer orders, ensuring timeliness and efficiency. In some establishments, they are the first to greet the customers, taking their orders courteously and professionally. They also assist by answering inquiries, offering products and other services, and solving issues and concerns if there is any to ensure customer satisfaction. They coordinate directly with kitchen staff to prepare orders and relay particular requests. Moreover, a cafe server also maintains the cleanliness of different areas and prepares tables for new customers.

Server/barista vs cafe server salary

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

Server/BaristaCafe Server
Average salary$30,749$26,967
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $40,000Between $20,000 And $35,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between server/barista and cafe server education

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

Server/BaristaCafe Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common college--

Server/barista vs cafe server demographics

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

Server/BaristaCafe Server
Average age2323
Gender ratioMale, 28.2% Female, 71.8%Male, 28.8% Female, 71.2%
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, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between server/barista and cafe 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.
  • Show more

Cafe server example responsibilities.

  • Serve food to fitness members, order taking on a POS system.
  • Provide orders, operate POS terminal, and serve food to spa and poolside guests.
  • Submit additional meal requirements, allergies, dietary needs, and special requests to the kitchen.
  • Maintain product presentation standards and cleanliness.
  • Meet company brand expectations of merchandising and cleanliness.
  • Establish a positive relationship with co-workers and managers through a solid work ethic, positive attitude, punctuality and dependability.
  • Show more

Server/barista vs cafe server skills

Common server/barista skills
  • Cleanliness, 24%
  • Wine, 17%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Multitasking, 10%
  • Presentation Standards, 9%
  • POS, 4%
Common cafe server skills
  • Cleanliness, 30%
  • Support Tasks, 24%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 22%
  • Wine, 4%
  • Health Code, 4%
  • Food Service, 2%

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs