Counter Attendants

Career summary

#no corresponding wois occ, check 3/19/19 lh

Counter attendants greet customers and write down meal orders on tickets. If coffee or other beverages are ordered, counter attendants pour and serve them. They take or call food orders to the kitchen. They may prepare sandwiches, salads, and other items from the menu. If necessary, they add garnishes to the plate.

Counter attendants serve food to customers after it is prepared. They may wrap food so customers can take it with them.

Counter attendants take food out of storage and place it in serving displays. Sometimes they cook or reheat food. They refill beverages such as water, coffee, or soda. They brew coffee and prepare desserts for customers.

Counter attendants calculate bills and give them to customers. They may operate cash registers, receive payment, and make change. They balance the cash register at the end of the day and keep records of the day's receipts.

Counter attendants clean counter tops and food-serving areas. They sweep floors and clean equipment.

Counter attendants who work in cafeterias make sure food-serving containers are full. They notify kitchen workers when food is running low or if special orders are necessary.

Related careers

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

Related careers include:

• Baggage Porters and Bellhops
• Baristas
• Bartenders
• Cashiers
• Chefs and Dinner Cooks
• Counter and Rental Clerks
• Fast Food Cooks
• Food Preparation Workers
• Hotel Desk Clerks
• Parking Lot Attendants
• Parts Salespeople
• Recreation Attendants
• Restaurant Hosts
• Service Station Attendants
• Short-Order Cooks
• Stock Clerks
• Ushers and Ticket Takers
• Waiters and Waitresses

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to counter attendants.

• Set tables and serving areas.
• Write down customer orders and take to cooks.
• Calculate bill, receive payment, and provide change when necessary.
• Prepare and serve drinks.
• Prepare and serve sandwiches, salads, and some items on the menu. Sometimes add relish or garnish to food.
• Wrap food for takeout orders.
• Notify kitchen workers of shortages or special orders.
• Restock food at serving stations.
• Select food items from storage areas and place them in serving areas.
• Clean serving areas and equipment.
• Collect dirty dishes and bring them to kitchen for washing.
• Order supplies such as napkins to replenish stock.
• Keep records and balance cash register at end of shift.

Common work activities

Counter attendants 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
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Teach others
• Develop and build teams
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Coach others
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Assist and care for others
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Make decisions and solve problems

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, counter attendants:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social interaction with customers and coworkers.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of others. They must follow safe food handling rules.
• Are sometimes placed in conflict situations where customers might become unpleasant or angry.
• Work as part of a team that serves customers.
• Often use the telephone to take customer's orders.

Physical work conditions

• Usually work indoors. Sometimes prepare and serve food outdoors.
• Sometimes wear a special uniform.
• Are sometimes exposed to hazardous situations when working in the kitchen. They may work near stoves, ovens, and hot grease. They may use knives and slicing machines.
• Work very near other people and have little space between self and others.

Work performance

• Must be exact in taking orders and packaging food. Mistakes result in unhappy customers.
• Must sometimes meet strict deadlines.
• Can make some decisions and set some tasks without talking to a supervisor.
• Make decisions that affect others on a weekly basis.
• Make decisions that strongly impact the image of their employer.

Hours/travel

• Often work part time, but may work full time.
• May work days, evenings, or weekends.

Physical demands

Counter attendants frequently:

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

It is important for counter attendants 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.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for counter attendants to be able to:

• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.

Skills and abilities

Counter attendants need to:

Communicate

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

Reason and problem solve

• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.

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

• Food Services

Training

To work as a counter attendant, 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.

On-the-job training

Almost all counter attendants learn their skills on the job from an experienced worker. Training includes:

• taking and serving orders;
• using equipment necessary for the job;
• providing customer service; and
• studying restaurant policies.

After training, another worker supervises your work. Training generally lasts up to one 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
• Family and Consumer Sciences
• 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

Counter attendants work closely with the public. Thus, employers look for people who communicate well and have a neat, clean appearance. Counter attendants 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 years old or have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Costs to workers

Some counter attendants may be required to join a union and pay an initiation fee and monthly dues.

Licensing/certification

Counter attendants must have a food worker card. To receive a card, workers must pay a $10 fee and pass a written examination. The initial card is valid for two years. After that period, cards must be renewed every three years. With additional food safety training, workers can qualify for a five-year card. Call your local health department for more information. Those working in health care facilities and public schools may need hepatitis and HIV/AIDS training. This is usually supplied by the employer. Workers in public schools with regularly scheduled, unsupervised access to children must have a criminal background check.

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. 

#ok 3/6/18 cj. 3/19/19 lh

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.

• Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food 
• Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop 

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.

Wages for counter attendants vary by task. Wages may be higher in large cities or in states with a higher minimum wage. Some counter attendants earn tips. Tip amounts vary widely depending on the type of restaurant and how expensive it is. Tips usually range between 10 to 20 percent of the total bill. In some restaurants, tips are shared with other employees, such as the kitchen staff.

Benefits vary by employer. Free meals and uniforms are usually provided. Full-time employees may receive benefits such as health insurance, sick leave, and vacation time.

Employment and outlook

Washington 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:

• Fast food restaurants
• Full-service restaurants
• Special food services
• Elementary and secondary schools

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be very strong. The fastest growth will be in the fast food industry. More people are visiting these restaurants for lunch or dinner because they can get their food quickly and it is inexpensive. Demand is also strong in cafeterias, hospitals, and grocery stores that serve prepared food.

There will be many openings for counter attendants every year. Much of this is due to the fact that workers do not stay in this occupation for long due to low wages.

Other resources

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

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

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

• Conventional (Business Operations)

O*Net  occupations

• Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food (35-3021.00) 
• Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop (35-3022.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 1 - Little or no preparation needed. No previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Canteen Operator (311.674-010) 
• Counter Attendant, Cafeteria (311.677-014) 
• Counter Attendant, Lunchroom or Coffee Shop (311.477-014) 
• Fast-foods Worker (311.472-010) 
• Fountain Server (319.474-010) 
• Waiter/Waitress, Take Out (311.477-038) 

Holland occupational clusters

• Conventional/Realistic/Enterprising
• Realistic/Social/Enterprising

COPSystem

• Service Skilled