FAQs
The top 3 paying industries for a Restaurant Server in United States are Retail & Wholesale with a median total pay of $61,257, Hotels & Travel Accommodation with a median total pay of $53,014 and Restaurants & Food Service with a median total pay of $51,046.
Where can I make the most as a server? ›
Highest paying cities for Servers near United States
- Orlando, FL. $22.71 per hour. 125 salaries reported.
- Scottsdale, AZ. $21.23 per hour.
- Chicago, IL. $19.45 per hour.
- Atlanta, GA. $19.08 per hour.
- New York, NY. $18.32 per hour.
- Show more nearby cities.
What do you say to get a job as a server? ›
Be truthful, but also focus on being positive. Example: “I enjoy getting to interact with customers. I have a lot of fun talking to them and finding out why they came to the restaurant. I love when they are celebrating a special occasion and I get to make sure they have an enjoyable experience.
How much do fine dining servers make in NYC? ›
For fine dining servers, the average hourly wage is approximately $20.95 according to Indeed data updated on December 20, 2023. Meanwhile, the average annual salary for a restaurant server, or waiter, is $34,852 as reported by ZipRecruiter on December 20, 2023.
Can servers make $100,000? ›
Some servers were reported to be making upwards of $100,000 a year (and working less than 30 hours a week!).
Do attractive servers make more money? ›
Attractive servers earn roughly $1261 more per year than unattractive servers. Beauty has a larger impact on female than male server earnings. Beauty matters more for female than male customers. Findings attributable to customer taste-based discrimination.
What kind of waiters make the most money? ›
High Paying Waiter Jobs
- Restaurant Attendant. ...
- Buffet Runner. ...
- Restaurant Server. ...
- Server Assistant. ...
- Cafeteria Helper. Salary range: $30,000-$31,500 per year. ...
- Bistro Attendant. Salary range: $25,000-$30,000 per year. ...
- Buffet Attendant. Salary range: $23,000-$30,000 per year. ...
- Fast Food Attendant. Salary range: $27,000-$30,000 per year.
Which server location is best? ›
Which server location should I choose? The general rule of thumb is that the server should be located as close to the target audience as possible. This simple decision ensures fast loading websites and great user experience.
How many tables is a lot for a server? ›
Most servers can manage about four tables at any given time during their shift. The number of customers may ebb and flow during the shift, but typically, each server should have about four tables when it's steady.
What is your weakness as a server? ›
Answer: My weakness is trying to do too much at once, because I want every customer to be happy and feel comfortable and taken care of. But I do need to learn to slow down and prioritize so I don't get overwhelmed.
The qualifications that you need to become a server with no experience include a high school diploma and customer service skills. Employers often prefer applicants who have a background in a related industry, such as hospitality or retail, but you can still find a serving job with absolutely no experience.
How do I pass a server interview? ›
Interview tips
- Dress professionally. Professional dress is always encouraged, even if the food server position doesn't require formal attire from day today.
- Be outgoing. Food servers must display enthusiasm and extroversion during the course of their work. ...
- Bring your resume. ...
- Know your skills. ...
- Offer flexibility.
Can a waiter make 6 figures? ›
servers can make 6 figures. yeah, we know a few servers here on the Strip. who would easily make about 150, maybe as high as 200 000 a year. just working at a really high end restaurant.
Is it hard to be a fine dining server? ›
Being a waiter at a fine dining restaurant is the ideal serving job in the food business. However, it requires technical education beyond the basics of serving food. You have to be attentive and alert at all times throughout your shift, which can be physically and mentally exhausting.
How much do waiters at French laundry make? ›
Average The French Laundry hourly pay ranges from approximately $15.49 per hour for Server to $24.73 per hour for Concierge. The average The French Laundry salary ranges from approximately $75,000 per year for Administrative Coordinator to $136,935 per year for Assistant General Manager.
Which waiters make the most money? ›
High Paying Waiter Jobs
- Head Waiter. Salary range: $38,000-$85,000 per year. ...
- Fine Dining Server. Salary range: $24,000-$51,000 per year. ...
- Food Specialist. Salary range: $26,000-$43,000 per year. ...
- Buffet Steward. Salary range: $40,000-$42,000 per year. ...
- Cafe Server. ...
- Restaurant Worker. ...
- Cafeteria Assistant. ...
- Food Service Worker.
Which states pay servers the most? ›
The highest-paid state for servers is New York with an average salary of $36,333 per year. What city pays servers the most? Washington, DC pays servers the most with an average salary of $40,480 per year.
What is good pay for a server? ›
As of Aug 27, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Server in California is $13.68 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $30.37 and as low as $5.46, the majority of Server salaries currently range between $10.19 (25th percentile) to $17.07 (75th percentile) in California.
Can you make 6 figures as a server? ›
servers can make 6 figures. yeah, we know a few servers here on the Strip. who would easily make about 150, maybe as high as 200 000 a year. just working at a really high end restaurant.