Waiters and Waitresses

Career summary

Waiters and waitresses may also be called servers or waitpersons.

Waiter and waitresses are also called servers. Their job duties may vary depending on the size and type of restaurant.

In fine-dining restaurants, waiters and waitresses offer formal service. They explain specials and explain how they are prepared. They offer suggestions for wine and other beverages. Other staff members usually take reservations, seat customers, and clean up dishes after the meal.

In casual restaurants, waiters and waitresses serve food and may also seat customers and remove dishes from the table in order to prepare the table for the next customer.

Waiters and waitresses spend time learning the restaurant's menu including the wine list. They also learn about ingredients and food safety issues including food allergies.

In restaurants that serve alcohol, waiter and waitresses learn their state's laws and regulations about serving alcohol to people.

Related careers

This career is part of the Hospitality and Tourism cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Baristas
• Bartenders
• Buspersons
• Cashiers
• Caterers
• Counter and Rental Clerks
• Counter Attendants
• Flight Attendants
• Food Preparation Workers
• Restaurant Hosts

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to waiters and waitresses.

• Give menus to customers, describe meals not on the menu, and answer questions regarding preparation. Inform customers of daily specials.
• Explain how meals are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.
• Take orders from customers. Memorize or write down orders from customers. Relay orders to the kitchen or enter orders into computers.
• Check customers' identification before serving alcoholic beverages.
• Prepare beverages for customers.
• Help prepare food, such as salads, appetizers, and cold dishes.
• Serve meals to customers or direct customers to buffets.
• Observe customers to find out if anything else is needed. Determine when the meal and beverages have been finished.
• Compute the cost of meals and prepare checks. Accept payments or refer customers to cashiers.
• Remove dishes from tables or counters and take them to the kitchen.
• Clean and arrange tables, including chairs, linen, silverware, and glassware.
• Stock shelves with supplies, such as coffee and linens.
• Refill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiments, and napkin containers.

Common work activities

Waiters and waitresses perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Get information needed to do the job
• Perform for or work with the public
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Handle and move objects
• Assist and care for others
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Evaluate information against standards
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Teach others
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Make decisions and solve problems

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, waiters and waitresses:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social interaction. They work closely with customers and coworkers.
• Often deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous customers.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of their coworkers and customers.
• Are responsible for work outcomes.
• Communicate with coworkers and customers daily in person.
• Work in a group or as part of a team.
• Communicate with coworkers and customers weekly by telephone.

Physical work conditions

• Work indoors most of the time, but may sometimes work in outdoor serving areas.
• Often wear a special uniform or dress according to a dress code.
• Work very near coworkers and customers. They often work within inches of other people.

Work performance

• Must be exact in their work. This is to ensure that customers are satisfied.
• Must repeat the same physical activities, such as serving food.
• Make decisions on a weekly basis that affect customers. They are able to make some decisions without talking to a supervisor.
• Are able to set some tasks for the day without talking to a supervisor.

Hours/travel

• Generally have a set schedule each week.
• May work part time or full time, but most work less than 40 hours a week.
• May work weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• May work split shifts. For example, they might work from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., with time off in between.

Physical demands

Waiters and waitresses frequently:

• Walk or run for long periods of time.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Bend or twist their body.

It is important for waiters and waitresses to be able to:

• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for waiters and waitresses to be able to:

• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.

Skills and abilities

Waiters and waitresses need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

• Bartending
• Food Services
• Wine Steward/Sommelier

Training

To work as a waiter or waitress, you typically need to:

• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this job. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Work experience

Formal restaurants may require experience in food service. Informal restaurants are less likely to require experience.

On-the-job training

Most waiters and waitresses learn their skills on the job from an experienced worker. Some restaurants offer their own training program. Training may last up to a month.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Culinary Arts
• Food and Nutrition
• Food Service
• Hospitality

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers look for people who have the qualities needed to maintain a restaurant's image. These qualities include good communication skills and a neat, clean appearance. Waiters and waitresses must also be physically able to work long hours and stand for long periods of time. Employers look for people who can get along well with other staff.

Some employers prefer to hire people who are at least 16 or have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Costs to workers

Some workers may be required to join a union and pay an initiation fee and quarterly dues. Some workers may be required to purchase uniforms.

Licensing/certification

Waiters and waitresses must have a food worker card from their local county government health department. To receive a card, they must pay a fee and pass a written examination. The initial card is valid for two years. After that period, cards must be renewed every three years.

It is no longer necessary to be 21 years old to serve liquor in a dining room. Workers who work primarily in a cocktail lounge must be at least 21. Workers who serve alcohol must also attend training or view a video provided by their employer on using safe and reasonable judgment when serving alcohol to customers. Then, they must pass a test to receive a certificate which documents their training and knowledge in this area. Certificates are valid for five years.

For more information on food worker cards, contact your local county health department listed in the county government section of your phone book. You may also find more information at the Washington Department of Health's Food Worker Card page. 

#2/18/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Waiters and Waitresses 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Waiters and waitresses usually start at minimum wage. The minimum wage varies from state to state. Waiters and waitresses also earn tips. Tip amounts vary widely depending on the type of restaurant and how expensive it is. Tips usually range from ten to 20 percent of the total bill. In some restaurants, tips are shared with other employees, such as kitchen staff. Tips raise total wages for most waiters and waitress well above the median wage displayed. Some employers reduce the hourly wage that waiters and waitresses receive and expect tips to make up the difference.

Benefits vary by employer. Uniforms and free meals during work hours are usually provided. Full-time employees may receive benefits such as health insurance and vacation time. Part-time employees usually do not receive benefits.

Employment and outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Full-service restaurants
• Coffee shops
• Bars

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is growing about as fast as the average. This occupation grows as the population grows and more people dine out. However, more people are also interested in self-service, take-out food, or delivery.

There will be plenty of job openings as this is a large occupation and there is high turnover. Competition will be strong for jobs at high-end restaurants. Job prospects are best for those with experience especially at fine dining restaurants.

Other resources

American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute 
(Certification options in the hospitality industry)

American Sommelier 

Hospitality Careers Online 

National Restaurant Association 
2055 L Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
800.424.5156
202.331.5900

National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation 
2055 L Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
800.424.5156

North American Sommelier Association 

UNITE HERE 
275 - 7th Avenue, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10001
212.265.7000

Washington Hospitality Association 
510 Plum Street SE, Suite 200
Olympia, WA 98501
800.225.7166
360.956.7279

References

Career cluster

• Hospitality and Tourism

Career path

• Social

O*Net  occupation

• Waiters and Waitresses (35-3031.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Mess Attendant (350.677-010) 
• Steward/Stewardess, Wine (350.677-026) 
• Waiter/Waitress (350.677-030) 
• Waiter/Waitress, Bar (311.477-018) 
• Waiter/Waitress, Buffet (311.674-018) 
• Waiter/Waitress, Club (352.677-018) 
• Waiter/Waitress, Dining Car (311.477-022) 
• Waiter/Waitress, Formal (311.477-026) 
• Waiter/Waitress, Informal (311.477-030) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Social/Enterprising/Conventional

COPSystem

• Service Skilled