What Does a Waiter or Waitress Do?

Servers, more commonly referred to as waiters and waitresses, are the public faces of restaurants. They greet customers, and they may recommend particular dishes. Servers also take orders and bring customers their food.

Waiter or Waitress Duties & Responsibilities

This job typically requires the ability to complete the following tasks:

• Set up dining areas when working an opening shift.
• Seat customers or greet them at their tables, offer water and possibly cocktails, and verify the ages of any possible underage drinkers.
• Explain the menu, describe any specials, and answer questions about the menu.
• Take orders and deliver the orders to the kitchen staff.
• Garnish plates and cocktails, if required.
• Deliver food and drinks to the customers' tables.
• Clear plates and utensils as dishes and entrees are finished.
• Prepare itemized checks and accept payment.

Servers usually begin a shift before a busy mealtime at a restaurant. For example, a lunch shift might start at 10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m., depending on when a restaurant usually gets busy for lunch. Dinner shifts typically start similarly early. Servers help get their sections ready by making sure bus stations are stocked, tables are cleaned and set, and everything is ready for customers. They also go over any specials or other details important to that particular shift.

At the end of a shift, servers often do side work or tasks related to helping to clean their section and help prepare the restaurant for the next day. This might include such things as rolling silverware, wiping down trays, or more.

Waiter or Waitress Salary

A server's earnings typically consist of a combination of wages and tips from customers. Many restaurants pay workers only the federal minimum wage for tipped employees who earn at least $30 per month from customer tips. This is not the same minimum wage as that for other workers. It can be as little as $2.13 per hour, but the combined tips and wages must be at least $7.25 an hour as of 2019. Some states require employers to pay higher wages.

• Median Annual Salary: $21,777 ($10.47/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $40,789 ($19.61/hour)
• Bottom 10% Annual Salary: $17,326 ($8.33/hour)

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018; U.S. Department of Labor, 2019

Education, Training & Certification

Formal education isn't required to get a job as a server. Restaurants usually provide on-the-job training that lasts for a few weeks.

• Training: Some restaurants require new hires to participate in classroom training to learn proper serving techniques. Some states mandate additional formal training for jobs that involve serving alcohol, and for safe food-handling.
• Experience: Servers with a background in the industry are more in demand than those without prior experience. Prior experience in any food- or drink-related career can be valuable, even if it's fast food or in a cafeteria-type setting.

Waiter or Waitress Skills & Competencies

Waiters and waitresses should be strong in several skills and attributes.

• Appearance: As far as customers are concerned, the server is the restaurant, so maintaining a professional and well-groomed appearance is vital. Tips may depend on the server's appearance.
• Communication skills: Servers need excellent active listening and verbal communication skills. They must understand customer questions and concerns and clearly convey information to them.
• Interpersonal skills: This set of skills allows servers to pick up customers' non-verbal cues and coordinate their actions with other restaurant workers.
• Customer service skills: Customers should leave a dining establishment feeling satisfied with both the food and service they received. Servers have little control over the former, but they can influence the latter.
• Ability to work as a team: Customer dining experience is the result of the efforts of several employees. If one drops the ball, another will have to catch it, ideally without complaint—or at least save the complaining until the customer is gone.

Job Outlook

Employment is expected to grow at an average pace with all other occupations at about 7% for the decade ending in 2026. Job prospects are expected to be good because of the high turnover in this field, and because people never seem to tire of dining out. As people quit their jobs and move onto other things, restaurants always need new hires to fill these openings.

Work Environment

Full-service restaurants employ the majority of waiters and waitresses. The more upscale restaurants often require their staffs to wear uniforms.

Servers spend the majority of time on their feet because this is a physically demanding job. They carry heavy trays and move quickly but certainly not clumsily. A great deal of interaction with others is required, both with staff and customers.

Work Schedule

Many servers work part-time, but the hours can be erratic. A work schedule might include early mornings, evenings, late nights, weekends, and holidays. Depending on the location, the work can be seasonal, such as if the restaurant is in or near a travel destination. They may work steady shifts for a while, then be out of work for a period of time until tourist season begins again.

Comparing Similar Jobs

Several other jobs are available in the foodservice industry.

• Bartender: $22,550
• Flight Attendant: $56,000
• Food Service Manager: $52,240

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018