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The differences between server/baristas and line 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 $28,300 average annual salary of a line server.
The top three skills for a server/barista include cleanliness, wine and customer service. The most important skills for a line server are customer service, quality customer service, and exceptional guest.
| Server/Barista | Line Server | |
| Yearly salary | $30,749 | $28,300 |
| Hourly rate | $14.78 | $13.61 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 173,073 | 246,165 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 23 | 23 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
A line server is responsible for assisting the guests with their needs to ensure an overall satisfying dining experience with the highest quality service. Line servers take and verify guests' orders, provide recommendation for orders, respond to the guests' inquiries regarding the menu, manage the food preparation and serving, assist guests with additional requests, and ensure strict adherence to the sanitary standards and hygienic procedures at all times. Line servers must have excellent communication and time-management skills to interact with different guests and identify their dining needs.
Server/baristas and line servers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Server/Barista | Line Server | |
| Average salary | $30,749 | $28,300 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $40,000 | Between $21,000 And $36,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a server/barista and a line server in terms of educational background:
| Server/Barista | Line Server | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between server/baristas' and line servers' demographics:
| Server/Barista | Line Server | |
| Average age | 23 | 23 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.2% Female, 71.8% | Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 8% | 8% |