Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 2,023,200 people employed as waiters and waitresses in the United States. The median annual salary is $23,700. Entry level employees earn approximately $17,520 per year and senior employees earn approximately $42,550 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• 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.
• Roll silverware, set up food stations, or set up dining areas to prepare for the next shift or for large parties.
• Stock service areas with supplies such as coffee, food, tableware, and linens.
• Bring wine selections to tables with appropriate glasses, and pour the wines for customers.
• Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers.
• Describe and recommend wines to customers.
• Perform food preparation duties such as preparing salads, appetizers, and cold dishes, portioning desserts, and brewing coffee.
• Provide guests with information about local areas, including giving directions.
• Garnish and decorate dishes in preparation for serving.
• Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.
• Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.
• Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
• Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters and take them to kitchen for cleaning.
• Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required.
• Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining.
• Prepare tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware.
• Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.
• Assist host or hostess by answering phones to take reservations or to-go orders, and by greeting, seating, and thanking guests.
• Escort customers to their tables.
• Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, tidying up server station, taking out trash, or checking and cleaning bathroom.
• Inform customers of daily specials.
• Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine.

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