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Waiter & Waitress

Also called: Food Server, Server, Waiter, Waitress

Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.

No four-year degree needed Bright outlook Food & hospitality
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Median pay
$35,230/yr
Typical range
$18,100 – $64,720
Outlook
Bright outlook

What does a Waiter & Waitress do?

  • Collect payments from customers.
  • Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
  • Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.

How to become a Waiter & Waitress

Training: A high school diploma or GED, though some people start without a diploma. Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

Skills you'll use

Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questionsTalking to othersLooking for ways to help peopleUnderstanding people's reactions

Is it a fit for you?

  • Optimism
  • Social Orientation
  • Cooperation
  • Dependability
  • Empathy

Tools and technology

FacebookBlinkHospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-SaleIntuit QuickBooks Point of Sale

Questions people ask

How much does a Waiter & Waitress make?

About $35,230 a year at the U.S. median. Most earn between $18,100 and $64,720. Pay depends on the state, the employer and experience.

How long does it take to become a Waiter & Waitress?

Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

Do you need a college degree to be a Waiter & Waitress?

No four-year degree is needed. A high school diploma or GED, though some people start without a diploma.

Is Waiter & Waitress a good career to get into?

O*NET lists it as a Bright Outlook career: it's expected to grow quickly or have lots of openings in the next few years.

Related careers

Bartender$34,340 a yearDining Room & Cafeteria Attendant & Bartender Helper$33,980 a yearFast Food & Counter Worker$31,200 a yearHost & Hostess$31,200 a yearBarista$31,200 a yearChef & Head Cook$62,470 a year

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National wage figures via O*NET Web Services. This application incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Figures are national estimates and vary by state, employer and experience. Career details from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

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