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Waitress vs caterer/server

The differences between waitresses and caterer/servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a caterer/server has an average salary of $33,737, which is higher than the $24,770 average annual salary of a waitress.

The top three skills for a waitress include food orders, food preparation and customer orders. The most important skills for a caterer/server are customer service, food service, and wine.

Waitress vs caterer/server overview

WaitressCaterer/Server
Yearly salary$24,770$33,737
Hourly rate$11.91$16.22
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs87,315105,138
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age2828
Years of experience--

Waitress vs caterer/server salary

Waitresses and caterer/servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

WaitressCaterer/Server
Average salary$24,770$33,737
Salary rangeBetween $17,000 And $35,000Between $24,000 And $46,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNew YorkWashington
Best paying companyNew York Institute of TechnologyLunds & Byerlys
Best paying industryHospitalityFinance

Differences between waitress and caterer/server education

There are a few differences between a waitress and a caterer/server in terms of educational background:

WaitressCaterer/Server
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Waitress vs caterer/server demographics

Here are the differences between waitresses' and caterer/servers' demographics:

WaitressCaterer/Server
Average age2828
Gender ratioMale, 19.9% Female, 80.1%Male, 36.9% Female, 63.1%
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, 11.4% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 8.1% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between waitress and caterer/server 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.
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Caterer/server example responsibilities.

  • Experience caterer, providing services from assembling full-service buffets to serving guests at outside catering events and private parties at restaurants.
  • Handle cash and credit transactions accurately through the provided POS system
  • Perform accurate POS system transactions for in-seat patrons; beverage and alcohol orders.
  • Monitor and maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and organization of assign stations and service areas.
  • Experience training new employees, working as a server, service bartending, as well as catering large events.
  • Inventory control, stocking food and beverage trail, planning events, bartending, catering, and serving guest at parties.
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Waitress vs caterer/server skills

Common waitress skills
  • Food Orders, 13%
  • Food Preparation, 9%
  • Customer Orders, 8%
  • POS, 7%
  • Drink Orders, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
Common caterer/server skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Food Service, 9%
  • Wine, 8%
  • Exceptional Guest, 7%
  • Cleanliness, 7%
  • Work Ethic, 7%

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