Post job

Waitress vs cashier/host

The differences between waitresses and cashiers/host can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a waitress has an average salary of $24,770, which is higher than the $24,581 average annual salary of a cashier/host.

The top three skills for a waitress include food orders, food preparation and customer orders. The most important skills for a cashier/host are cleanliness, host, and excellent guest.

Waitress vs cashier/host overview

WaitressCashier/Host
Yearly salary$24,770$24,581
Hourly rate$11.91$11.82
Growth rate10%-10%
Number of jobs87,315131,740
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%High School Diploma, 46%
Average age2834
Years of experience--

What does a waitress do?

Waitresses are responsible for ensuring that guests are given proper attention during their visit to the restaurant. They guide guests to their table, provide menu boards, answer any questions the guests may have, take the guests' order, and communicate the order to the kitchen. Once the order is ready, waitresses collect the food from the kitchen and serve it to the guests. They then give guests time to finish their meal. Upon the guests' request, waitresses bring them their bill and wait for them to finish paying up. Once the guests leave, waitresses are responsible for ensuring that the table is ready for the next guests.

What does a cashier/host do?

A cashier/host is responsible for facilitating the cash register processes and managing financial transactions. Cashier/hosts process reservations and online payments, respond to customers' inquiries and concerns, escalate high-level complaints, update customer's account information on the database, and perform various administrative and clerical tasks as needed. They also create comprehensive financial reports for management's review, including recommendations on cost-efficient strategies to minimize the company's loss without compromising high-quality services. A cashier/host must be analytical and communicative to maintain smooth operations and achieve the highest customer satisfaction.

Waitress vs cashier/host salary

Waitresses and cashiers/host have different pay scales, as shown below.

WaitressCashier/Host
Average salary$24,770$24,581
Salary rangeBetween $17,000 And $35,000Between $16,000 And $36,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCAustin, TX
Highest paying stateNew YorkWashington
Best paying companyNew York Institute of Technology24 Carrots Catering and Events
Best paying industryHospitalityRetail

Differences between waitress and cashier/host education

There are a few differences between a waitress and a cashier/host in terms of educational background:

WaitressCashier/Host
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%High School Diploma, 46%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Waitress vs cashier/host demographics

Here are the differences between waitresses' and cashiers/host' demographics:

WaitressCashier/Host
Average age2834
Gender ratioMale, 19.9% Female, 80.1%Male, 42.7% Female, 57.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 8.6% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 25.0% Asian, 8.3% White, 51.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%5%

Differences between waitress and cashier/host duties and responsibilities

Waitress example responsibilities.

  • Manage a recurring book of business of top VIP clients secure through networking.
  • Relay orders to bar and kitchen by quickly and accurately recording guest selections and keying them into the POS computer system.
  • wait tables, handle money, exceed guest expectations, serve food and drinks, micros, clean, side work.
  • Increase store sales by upselling merchandise.
  • Enter order/payment information into micros system, deliver receipt and change to the customer.
  • Bring wine selections to tables with appropriate glasses, and pour the wines for customers.
  • Show more

Cashier/host example responsibilities.

  • Greet guests, answer phones, seat guests, prepare to-go orders, POS station, handle cash.
  • Answer telephone calls regarding group party reservations and business information.
  • Cook burgers at a timely manner and used fryers also wash dishes and close the store
  • Perform debit, credit and cash transactions, totale accountant on computer database, using specialize POS accounting software.
  • Restock supplies and maintain restaurant cleanliness.
  • Maintain an up-most standard for customer satisfaction and restaurant cleanliness.
  • Show more

Waitress vs cashier/host skills

Common waitress skills
  • Food Orders, 13%
  • Food Preparation, 9%
  • Customer Orders, 8%
  • POS, 7%
  • Drink Orders, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
Common cashier/host skills
  • Cleanliness, 19%
  • Host, 13%
  • Excellent Guest, 11%
  • POS, 10%
  • Reservations, 7%
  • To-Go Orders, 6%

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs