My typical day at work is very busy. Great customer service is a must. I meet each and every customer with a smile as I greet them walking in the door. In between waiting on the public I work in the back making pizzas, bread sticks, and wings. I also clean the kitchen, wash dishes, and mop the floors.
CAREER
Waiters and Waitresses
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$23,740
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+3.7% (slower than the average)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Waiters and Waitresses Do
Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.
Other Job Titles Waiters and Waitresses May Have
Banquet Server, Buffet Server, Cocktail Server, Food Runner, Food Server, Restaurant Server, Server, Waiter, Waitress, Waitstaff
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.
- Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals and take action to correct any problems.
- Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
- Collect payments from customers.
- Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Waiters and Waitresses
Most common level of education among people in
this career: High school diploma or equivalent (34%)
High school diploma or equivalent
Some college, no degree
Bachelor's degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Public Administration
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Restaurant/Food Services Management
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Learning how to deal with the variety of different people and attitudes is a must when dealing with the public. My volunteering with Cheyenne Frontier Days has helped me with learning these skills.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
Everyone
Educate yourself first.
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
