What Do Waiter or Waitress Do?
Job Description & Duties Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.
A Day in the Life of a Waiter or Waitress
- Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.
- Roll silverware, set up food stations, or set up dining areas to prepare for the next shift or for large parties.
- Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
- Write patrons’ food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.
- Bring wine selections to tables with appropriate glasses, and pour the wines for customers.
- Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.
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Waiter or Waitress Skills
These are the skills Waiters and Waitresses say are the most useful in their careers:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Sommelier
- Deck Steward
- Club Waiter/Waitress
- Waiter/Waitress
- Waiter
Is There Job Demand for Waiters and Waitresses?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 2,600,500 jobs in the United States for Waiter or Waitress. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 182,500 new jobs for Waiter or Waitress by 2026. There will be an estimated 522,700 positions for Waiter or Waitress per year.
The states with the most job growth for Waiter or Waitress are Utah, Washington, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Ohio, West Virginia, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Waiter or Waitress Make?
The typical yearly salary for Waiters and Waitresses is somewhere between $17,330 and $40,780.
Waiters and Waitresses who work in Hawaii, Vermont, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Waiters and Waitresses in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $19,750 |
| Alaska | $25,610 |
| Arizona | $30,220 |
| Arkansas | $20,040 |
| California | $30,250 |
| Colorado | $25,510 |
| Connecticut | $26,350 |
| Delaware | $23,690 |
| District of Columbia | $48,120 |
| Florida | $26,120 |
| Georgia | $20,280 |
| Hawaii | $52,110 |
| Idaho | $20,780 |
| Illinois | $22,900 |
| Indiana | $22,300 |
| Iowa | $21,850 |
| Kansas | $20,140 |
| Kentucky | $19,450 |
| Louisiana | $18,630 |
| Maine | $27,550 |
| Maryland | $24,160 |
| Massachusetts | $31,920 |
| Michigan | $23,920 |
| Minnesota | $25,540 |
| Mississippi | $20,560 |
| Missouri | $21,420 |
| Montana | $20,990 |
| Nebraska | $25,610 |
| Nevada | $24,980 |
| New Hampshire | $24,850 |
| New Jersey | $27,530 |
| New Mexico | $20,770 |
| New York | $34,460 |
| North Carolina | $22,400 |
| North Dakota | $21,140 |
| Ohio | $22,650 |
| Oklahoma | $20,060 |
| Oregon | $28,640 |
| Pennsylvania | $24,850 |
| Rhode Island | $27,380 |
| South Carolina | $20,290 |
| South Dakota | $21,930 |
| Tennessee | $19,870 |
| Texas | $23,520 |
| Utah | $24,000 |
| Vermont | $34,560 |
| Virginia | $24,070 |
| Washington | $35,930 |
| West Virginia | $23,140 |
| Wisconsin | $23,330 |
| Wyoming | $23,670 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Waiters and Waitresses
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Waiters and Waitresses may use on a daily basis:
- Point of sale POS software
- The General Store
- Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale
- NCR NeighborhoodPOS
- MICROS Systems HSI Profits Series
- NCR Advanced Checkout Solution
- Compris software
- Compris Advanced Manager’s Workstation
- Hospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-Sale
How do I Become a Waiter or Waitress?
Are there Waiters and Waitresses education requirements?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Waiter or Waitress?
Who Employs Waiters and Waitresses?
Waiters and Waitresses work in the following industries:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Waiter or Waitress might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as a Waiter or Waitress sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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