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Employment Percentage
-59.91696575
SOC ID
35-3031
SOC Title
Waiters and Waitresses
ONET ID
35-3031.00
ONET Concat ID
35303100
Median Salary
29274.32
Ed Level High School
85.370003
Ed Level Certificate
0
Ed Level Some College
5.22
Ed Level Associates
2.33
Ed Level Bachelors
7.08
Ed Level Masters
0
Ed Level Doctors
0
Typical Ed Level
a high school diploma or less
Career Description
Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.
Core Tasks
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Assist host or hostess by answering phones to take reservations or to-go orders, and by greeting, seating, and thanking guests.
  • Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.
  • Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, tidying up server station, taking out trash, or checking and cleaning bathroom.
  • Escort customers to their tables.
  • Inform customers of daily specials.
  • Roll silverware, set up food stations, or set up dining areas to prepare for the next shift or for large parties.
  • Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine.
  • 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.
  • Perform food preparation duties such as preparing salads, appetizers, and cold dishes, portioning desserts, and brewing coffee.
  • Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers.
  • Describe and recommend wines to customers.
  • Provide guests with information about local areas, including giving directions.
Start Annual Earnings
26709.78
Top Annual Earnings
47287.07
EMSI Career Title Slug
waiter-or-waitress