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Server/barista vs cook/server

The differences between server/baristas and cook/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 $29,716 average annual salary of a cook/server.

The top three skills for a server/barista include cleanliness, wine and customer service. The most important skills for a cook/server are customer service, customer orders, and safety standards.

Server/barista vs cook/server overview

Server/BaristaCook/Server
Yearly salary$30,749$29,716
Hourly rate$14.78$14.29
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs173,073257,582
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%High School Diploma, 52%
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 cook/server do?

Cooks/servers are employees who take on the dual role of being a cook and a server in the restaurant. They are usually trained cooks who are in charge of preparing meals for the guests. They prepare ingredients, cook them according to the recipe, and serve them to guests. They are responsible for ensuring that the food is prepared and served to guests within the promised time. They are in charge of managing the pantry, ensuring that the stock is fresh, and checking whether the stock is low. They are expected to have culinary skills, precision, and time management skills.

Server/barista vs cook/server salary

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

Server/BaristaCook/Server
Average salary$30,749$29,716
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $40,000Between $23,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City-Bellingham, WA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-The Harley School
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between server/barista and cook/server education

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

Server/BaristaCook/Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%High School Diploma, 52%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common college--

Server/barista vs cook/server demographics

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

Server/BaristaCook/Server
Average age2323
Gender ratioMale, 28.2% Female, 71.8%Male, 45.9% Female, 54.1%
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 cook/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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Cook/server example responsibilities.

  • Develop ability to manage multiple stations simultaneously while maintaining high levels of culinary excellence.
  • Assist customers, bag groceries, replenish carts, and clean store.
  • Pay close attention to detail while multitasking between communicating over the intercom, utilizing the POS, and order placing.
  • Make smoothies, coffee, customer service, cashier, fill bakery cooler, inventory, stock, and clean!
  • Operate the filtration system used for the fryers to keep all sanitation guidelines up to standards as per the health department.
  • Operate, and maintain clean and safe cooking equipment like pressure cooker deep fryers, plate grills, and deep fryers.
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Server/barista vs cook/server skills

Common server/barista skills
  • Cleanliness, 24%
  • Wine, 17%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Multitasking, 10%
  • Presentation Standards, 9%
  • POS, 4%
Common cook/server skills
  • Customer Service, 41%
  • Customer Orders, 8%
  • Safety Standards, 6%
  • Food Preparation, 5%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 4%
  • POS, 4%

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