Server: Duties, Pay & Jobs Near You
What does a server do? Serve guests and deliver exceptional dining experiences. Find server jobs near you with average pay $12-$20/hr, required skills, and career path.
What does a Server do?
A server is responsible for Servers (waiters/waitresses) take orders, serve food and beverages, and ensure guests have an excellent dining experience in restaurants, hotels, and catering events. Servers (waiters/waitresses) take orders, serve food and beverages, and ensure guests have an excellent dining experience in restaurants, hotels, and catering events.
As a server, you can expect to earn between $12 and $20 per hour depending on experience and location. According toBLS OEWS, May 2024, this role is entry-level friendly. It is generally a medio job with medio scheduling.
Key duties of a Server include:
- Greet guests and present menus
- Take accurate food and beverage orders
- Serve food and drinks promptly
- Handle payments and process transactions
- Address customer concerns professionally
Key Facts: Server
- Average Hourly Rate$12-$20 / hour
- Industryhospitality
- Experience NeededEntry-level available
- Key SkillsCustomer service, Memory & attention, Communication
Market rates for a server range from $12 to $20/hr. A typical server is responsible for Servers (waiters/waitresses) take orders, serve food and beverages, and ensure guests have an excellent dining experience in restaurants, hotels, and catering events.Calculate your exact take-home pay orfind current server openings on Indeed Flex.
What are the job duties?
- Greet guests and present menus
- Take accurate food and beverage orders
- Serve food and drinks promptly
- Handle payments and process transactions
- Address customer concerns professionally
What skills do you need?
To succeed as a Server, you'll need a mix of hard skills and soft skills. Here are the most important ones:
What are the requirements?
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods
- Weekend and evening availability
- Food handler certification (varies by location)
Career Growth & Path
Here is a typical career progression for a Server:
Want to see more paths? Check out ourCareer Path Explorer tool.
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What is it really like being a Server?
The Good
- Consistent tip income, especially in high-volume restaurants
- Shifts align with meal times, giving flexibility between rushes
- Team environment with kitchen and front-of-house staff
- No degree or certification required to start
The Challenging
- You are on your feet the entire shift, carrying heavy trays
- Bad tips happen regardless of service quality
- Weekends and holidays are your busiest (and most required) shifts
Best For: People who enjoy hospitality, are comfortable multitasking, and want tip-based income with flexible hours.
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A Day in the Life of a Server
Arrive for lunch shift, review specials and 86'd items
Set up station - roll silverware, check condiments, polish glasses
Doors open - greet first tables, focus on suggestive selling
Lunch rush - manage multiple tables efficiently
Rush slows - catch up on side work, prebusfinish tables
Transition period - reset for dinner or end lunch shift
- •Greet every table within 60 seconds of being seated
- •Learn the menu inside out - including allergens and modifications
- •Check back at the 'two-bite' mark to catch problems early
- •Pre-bus tables constantly to turn them faster
- Wine key
- Pen (bring 3!)
- Small notepad
- Non-slip shoes
- Crumber
Usually black pants, non-slip shoes, venue-specific shirt. Clean, professional appearance.
FAQs: Server
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Data Sources & Methodology
The information on this page is compiled from the following sources:
Data Freshness
We strive to keep all data accurate and up-to-date. Pay rates may vary based on location, experience, and employer.
About this data
Figures on this page are compiled from the public sources cited above and may be out of date. They are provided for general informational purposes only and do not constitute professional career, legal, tax, or financial advice. For the most current pay rates, verify with the original source, a qualified professional, or check the Indeed Flex app directly for real-time shift availability and compensation.
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Source: indeedflex.com
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