What Waiters and Waitresses Do
Waiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and beverages to customers in dining establishments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLhPfGa1ZWs
Work Environment
Waiters and waitresses work in restaurants, bars, hotels, and other food-serving and drinking establishments. Work schedules include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays. Many work part time. During busy hours, they may be under pressure to serve customers quickly and efficiently.
How to Become a Waiter or Waitress
Most waiters and waitresses learn on the job. No formal education is required.
Pay
The median hourly wage for waiters and waitresses was $11.00 in May 2019.
Job Outlook
Employment of waiters and waitresses is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Job prospects are expected to be very good because of the many workers who leave their jobs each year. Candidates seeking employment at upscale restaurants may face strong competition for jobs.
Waiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and beverages to customers in dining establishments.
Duties
Waiters and waitresses typically do the following:
- Greet customers, present menus, and explain daily specials to customers
- Answer questions related to the menu and offer item suggestions
- Take food and beverage orders from customers
- Relay food and beverage orders to the kitchen staff
- Prepare drinks and food garnishes
- Carry trays of food or drinks from the kitchen to the dining tables
- Remove dirty dishes and glasses, and clean tables after customers finish meals
- Prepare itemized checks and take payments from customers
- Set up dining areas, refill condiments, and stock service areas
Waiters and waitresses, also called servers, are responsible for ensuring that customers have a satisfying dining experience. The specific duties of servers vary with the establishment in which they work.
In casual-dining restaurants that offer simple menu items, such as salads, soups, and sandwiches, servers provide fast, efficient, and courteous service. In fine-dining restaurants, where more complicated meals are typically prepared and served over several courses, waiters and waitresses emphasize personal, attentive treatment at a more leisurely pace. For example, they may offer a wine recommendation with certain foods.
Servers may meet with managers and chefs before each shift to discuss the menu or specials, review ingredients for potential food allergies, or talk about any food safety concerns. They also discuss coordination between the kitchen and the dining room and review any customer service issues from the previous day or shift.
In establishments where alcohol is served, waiters and waitresses verify the age of customers and ensure that they meet legal requirements for the purchase of alcohol.
Waiters and waitresses held about 2.6 million jobs in 2019. The largest employers of waiters and waitresses were as follows:
| Restaurants and other eating places | 81% |
| Traveler accommodation | 6 |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 4 |
Waiters and waitresses are on their feet most of the time and often carry heavy trays of food, dishes, and drinks. The work can be hectic and fast-paced. During busy dining periods, they may be under pressure to serve customers quickly and efficiently. They must be able to work well as a team with kitchen staff to ensure that customers receive prompt service.
Because waiters and waitresses are the front line of customer service in food-service and drinking establishments, appearance is important. Those who work in fine-dining and upscale restaurants may be required to wear uniforms.
Work Schedules
Many waiters and waitresses work part time. Many work early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays. This is especially true for those who work in full-service restaurants, which employ the vast majority of waiters and waitresses.
In establishments that offer seasonal employment, waiters and waitresses may be employed for only a few months each year.
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of waiters and waitresses.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bartenders |
Bartenders mix drinks and serve them directly to customers or through wait staff. |
No formal educational credential | $23,680 | |
Cashiers |
Cashiers process payments from customers purchasing goods and services. |
No formal educational credential | $23,650 | |
Flight Attendants |
Flight attendants provide routine services and respond to emergencies to ensure the safety and comfort of airline passengers. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $56,640 | |
Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers |
Food and beverage serving and related workers perform a variety of customer service, food preparation, and cleaning duties in eating and drinking establishments. |
No formal educational credential | $23,000 | |
Retail Sales Workers |
Retail sales workers help customers find products they want and process customers’ payments. |
No formal educational credential | $25,440 | |
Food Service Managers |
Food service managers are responsible for the daily operation of restaurants or other establishments that prepare and serve food and beverages. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $55,320 |
For more information on careers as a waiter or waitress, visit
National Restaurant Association
O*NET
Suggested citation:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Waiters and Waitresses,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/waiters-and-waitresses.htm (visited ).
