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The differences between waitstaffs and cocktail servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cocktail server has an average salary of $26,178, which is higher than the $25,104 average annual salary of a waitstaff.
The top three skills for a waitstaff include food service, beverage orders and culinary. The most important skills for a cocktail server are wine, cash handling, and beverage orders.
| Waitstaff | Cocktail Server | |
| Yearly salary | $25,104 | $26,178 |
| Hourly rate | $12.07 | $12.59 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 130,467 | 74,674 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Average age | 28 | 28 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
The waitstaff takes responsibility for tasks like recommending dishes based on the tastes and preferences of guests, accepting payments, and taking orders. Waitstaff delivers food to tables, ensures outstanding guest experience, and accepts payments. They work with diligence to get outstanding service quality and work with the other staff. It is part of their job to show customers their seats and provide menu options. They attend to tables for food service and guarantee cleanliness standard compliance.
A cocktail server's responsibilities revolve around taking orders and serving drinks in a restaurant or similar establishment, ensuring accuracy and customer satisfaction. Aside from this, a cocktail server may have to process payments, clean tables, and even offer suggestions when necessary. They also have to be alert for any signs of disruptive behavior from intoxicated to underage customers. Furthermore, it is essential to communicate and coordinate with the bartender and other kitchen staff to ensure that every patron gets their order, especially on days when there's a high customer presence.
Waitstaffs and cocktail servers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Waitstaff | Cocktail Server | |
| Average salary | $25,104 | $26,178 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $32,000 | Between $16,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Falmouth, MA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Washington |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | Aspen Snowmass |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Media |
There are a few differences between a waitstaff and a cocktail server in terms of educational background:
| Waitstaff | Cocktail Server | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between waitstaffs' and cocktail servers' demographics:
| Waitstaff | Cocktail Server | |
| Average age | 28 | 28 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 27.3% Female, 72.7% | Male, 13.0% Female, 87.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 8.4% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 8.1% White, 51.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |