Waiter / Waitress
Quick Facts
Median Salary$32,221
Most Common EducationHigh school or GED
Projected 10-Year Growth+21.76%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
A Waiter or Waitress takes orders and serves food and beverages to customers in restaurants. Answers customer questions about menu items, prepares checks and collects payment, and assists with clearing dishes and tables. May work in banquet or dining halls.
Core Tasks:
- Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
- Collect payments from customers.
- Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.
- Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals, and take action to correct any problems.
- Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.
- Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters, and take them to kitchen for cleaning.
- Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.
- Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining.
- Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required.
- Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, tidying up server station, taking out trash, or checking and cleaning bathroom.
- Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
- Roll silverware, set up food stations, or set up dining areas to prepare for the next shift or for large parties.
- Prepare tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware.
- Stock service areas with supplies such as coffee, food, tableware, and linens.
- Inform customers of daily specials.
- 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.
- Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers.
- Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine.
- Perform food preparation duties, such as preparing salads, appetizers, and cold dishes, portioning desserts, and brewing coffee.
- Escort customers to their tables.
- Provide guests with information about local areas, including directions.
What to expect as a Waiter / Waitress
1Earn a High school or GED Diploma
18% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Waiter / Waitress related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
27265 openings for Waiters / Waitresses
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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