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Server manager vs server

The differences between server managers and servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a server manager has an average salary of $61,639, which is higher than the $29,901 average annual salary of a server.

The top three skills for a server manager include customer service, payroll and POS. The most important skills for a server are wine, customer service, and guest satisfaction.

Server manager vs server overview

Server ManagerServer
Yearly salary$61,639$29,901
Hourly rate$29.63$14.38
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs153,999162,734
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age3928
Years of experience4-

What does a server manager do?

As the name entails, server managers are responsible for managing and overseeing the serving areas in restaurants. This role is associated with several tasks, including checking the appearance of servers, checking a server's knowledge of the restaurant's daily specials and menu items, and greeting the customers. Additional tasks may include assisting new serving crews and evaluating their self-reliance and capabilities, managing the schedule of servers, and organizing staff training. The skills needed for this position may include excellent customer service skills, leadership skills, and communication skills.

What does a server do?

A server is a restaurant employee assigned to the main dining area of the restaurant to primarily attend to the customer's needs. Servers assist guests to their tables, wait for the guests to be ready with their orders, and take the guests' orders. They should be knowledgeable about the restaurant's offerings since they should be able to answer any questions asked by the guests regarding the menu. They communicate the guests' orders to the kitchen crew and serve the orders once they are ready. Once the guests are finished eating, servers provide their bills upon their request and clean up the table when they leave. Servers should have excellent customer service skills and hospitality management skills.

Server manager vs server salary

Server managers and servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Server ManagerServer
Average salary$61,639$29,901
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $162,000Between $21,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Dell
Best paying industry-Hospitality

Differences between server manager and server education

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

Server ManagerServer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Server manager vs server demographics

Here are the differences between server managers' and servers' demographics:

Server ManagerServer
Average age3928
Gender ratioMale, 34.3% Female, 65.7%Male, 32.0% Female, 68.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 8.6% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 8.2% White, 54.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage10%6%

Differences between server manager and server duties and responsibilities

Server manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage operations of a successful restaurant/hotel business including leadership of client and supplier relationships.
  • Manage technical support, business analysis, project management, application development and support, training, and facilitation.
  • Supervise all areas within the restaurant and train all FOH staff in policies and procedures.
  • Monitor food distribution and restaurant maintenance of FOH and BOH -Handling of financial duties and perform administrative activities
  • Provide server duties by seating, taking orders and serving guests food and beverage orders using a POS computer service.
  • General serving and bartending responsibilities.
  • Show more

Server example responsibilities.

  • Manage expediter window paying close attention to garnishes and presentation.
  • Provide exceptional customer service, while frequently checking for food allergies, by utilizing excellent communication and multitasking skills.
  • Maximize profits by upselling food and alcoholic beverages and utilizing excellent customer service skills to ensure guests repeat business.
  • Clean bars, work areas, and tables.
  • Provide exceptional service to guests with charm, professionalism, respect, and bright personality.
  • Embrace serving on a more personal level due the quaint, small-town charm of the location.
  • Show more

Server manager vs server skills

Common server manager skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Payroll, 7%
  • POS, 6%
  • Customer Complaints, 6%
  • Fine Dining, 4%
  • Food Orders, 3%
Common server skills
  • Wine, 15%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 8%
  • Cleanliness, 7%
  • Cash Handling, 7%
  • POS, 6%

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