Server Career Guide
Server Career Guide
Whether you’re a seasoned Server or someone looking to get into the field, this practical guide will answer all of your questions regarding Server requirements, necessary skills, career progression and more.
Working as a Server offers a wide array of possibilities, from career progression in the hospitality industry to completely changing your career. The skills you gain as a Server are highly competitive and widely applicable to many other jobs on the market.
What Is a Server?
Servers are in charge of welcoming the guests and making sure their dining experience is enjoyable and memorable. They’re also supposed to clean and prep the tables as guests come and go, ensuring that cleanliness and service are at the highest standard.
Servers communicate with the back-of-house and front-of-house staff on a daily basis. They make sure the orders are delivered promptly and accurately.
However, it’s important to differentiate between the role of a Server and the role of a Waiter, as these two are sometimes used interchangeably. While some aspects of their work are quite similar, such as taking and delivering orders, as well as interacting with customers, Waiters have a more narrow set of responsibilities compared to Servers.
Waiters can work in both casual and fine-dining establishments and Servers are usually found in upscale restaurants where they handle a broader set of responsibilities. For example, apart from waiting on tables, they can also manage reservations and handle special requests.
What Does a Server Do at a Restaurant?
The Server’s duties and responsibilities include:
- Greeting and welcoming customers
- Interacting with patrons and presenting the menu
- Answering customers’ questions and suggesting items from the menu
- Taking orders in an accurate manner
- Communicating with staff to ensure orders are delivered on time
- Preparing tables, washing dishes and helping with other tasks
- Dealing with complaints in a calm and efficient manner
- Handling cash and credit card payments
Make sure to check out our Server job description where you will find a complete guide on what the position entails.
How To Become a Server?
You don’t need previous experience to become a Server, as most of the skills are learned on the job. However, to apply for a Server job, you must meet the minimum age requirements set by the state in which you live.
To increase your chances of getting your first job, you can browse through the National Restaurant Association which supports over half a million restaurant businesses in the country. There, you can attend courses and learn more about the latest trends in the industry.
Lastly, it’s also beneficial to go through the state labor laws as the U.S. has 50 different states (and Washington D.C.), all of them with different legislations. It’s important to know your rights as an employee so you can effectively protect yourself and your livelihood at all times.
Top 4 Skills for Servers
Customer service
Being friendly and approachable is one of the most important traits of a good Server. Since you will be continuously interacting with customers throughout your shift, you will have a unique opportunity to answer all their questions and proactively ask for feedback.
Communication skills
Given that delivering orders on time depends on both the Server and other staff members, your employer will expect you to possess outstanding communication skills. By effectively communicating with others, you’re ensuring that the service is running smoothly even during the restaurant’s busiest hours.
Ability to multitask
Ordinarily, Servers work in a fast-paced environment, simultaneously juggling a couple of tasks at the same time. To make sure everything’s running without delays, Servers should excel at multitasking. The good news is that this incredibly valuable skill can be learned through practice and experience.
Good physical shape
Although there’s no specific age requirement for Servers, this job requires someone who’s in good physical shape. Servers spend their shifts walking or standing for long hours. To qualify for the job, you should be able-bodied and capable of pushing heavy trolleys and serving carts.
Is Being a Server the Right Job for You?
Here are 10 quiz questions to help determine if a Server job might be a good fit for you.
Results
#1. How would you describe your familiarity with various serving techniques, such as tray carrying and tableside presentation?
#2. Do you have experience with table setup or garnishing dishes?
#3. What serving equipment and tools are you proficient in using, such as trays, corkscrews and specialized serving utensils?
#4. How many years of experience do you have with customer service in a restaurant setting?
#5. Are you dedicated to maintaining the same quality standards, even during busy or challenging times?
#6. Do you actively seek to expand your knowledge about various serving techniques, etiquette and customer preferences?
#7. How do you feel about early morning hours and long shifts in a restaurant?
#8. Do you enjoy working in a fast-paced and sometimes high-stress environment?
#9. How do you handle criticism and feedback about your service?
#10. Have you developed your serving style, and can you adapt to meet the needs of different customers or situations?
Server Salary and Earnings Potential
On average, Servers make $18,46 per hour, excluding tips. This can greatly fluctuate from state to state, depending on the employer, economic conditions and life expenses. For example, the state of Vermont in the New England region, offers the highest-paying jobs for Servers.
On the other hand, states like Georgia, Florida and Massachusetts, offer the lowest pay in the country.
| State | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $34,824 |
| Alaska | $33,348 |
| Arizona | $33,662 |
| Arkansas | $36,323 |
| California | $36,212 |
| Colorado | $34,155 |
| Connecticut | $43,455 |
| Delaware | $36,049 |
| Florida | $31,662 |
| Georgia | $32,696 |
| Hawaii | $35,284 |
| Idaho | $37,301 |
| Illinois | $34,020 |
| Indiana | $37,765 |
| Iowa | $34,812 |
| Kansas | $39,623 |
| Kentucky | $32,277 |
| Louisiana | $35,125 |
| Maine | $42,551 |
| Maryland | $39,466 |
| Massachusetts | $44,258 |
| Michigan | $38,559 |
| Minnesota | $32,870 |
| Mississippi | $32,809 |
| Missouri | $38,237 |
| Montana | $35,501 |
| Nebraska | $41,088 |
| Nevada | $32,031 |
| New Hampshire | $35,871 |
| New Jersey | $38,947 |
| New Mexico | $35,123 |
| New York | $39,573 |
| North Carolina | $37,884 |
| North Dakota | $39,057 |
| Ohio | $35,559 |
| Oklahoma | $35,907 |
| Oregon | $38,625 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,870 |
| Rhode Island | $43,865 |
| South Carolina | $35,618 |
| South Dakota | $39,369 |
| Tennessee | $34,976 |
| Texas | $35,382 |
| Utah | $38,792 |
| Vermont | $43,578 |
| Virginia | $40,691 |
| Washington | $38,974 |
| West Virginia | $30,484 |
| Wisconsin | $38,464 |
| Wyoming | $38,171 |
| District of Columbia | $44,915 |
Server Industry Trends in 2025
In the United States, minimum wages for regular employees are not the same as minimum wages for tipped employees. The federal minimum wage is 7.25$ per hour – however, for those who regularly receive tips, such as Servers, the base salary can be significantly lower.
This is because employers are allowed to include tips on top of the base salary to equal the minimum national wage. However, as this is not always followed by many establishments, some employers end up underpaying their Servers. As a result, some Servers are left in a difficult situation making less than the state’s minimum pay.
According to Sylvia Allegretto, a senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, 60% of tipped workers in the United States are Servers and Waiters, whose minimum salary hasn’t increased for the last 15 years.
However, there are efforts to eliminate salaries for tipped employees and increase wages to $15 per hour for all employees. It is expected that future changes will boost the hospitality sector and attract more workers who have been underpaid in the past.
Server Career FAQ
It takes a couple of things to become a truly great Server. As a rule of thumb, you want to anticipate the client’s needs and attend to their table as soon as possible. It’s also important you’re friendly and upbeat when approaching customers.Also, customers appreciate when Servers can recommend items from the menu and bring their orders quickly. To make sure you’re up to the task, memorize the menu. Another tip is to write everything down before heading to the kitchen. That way, there’s a lower chance you’ll mix up the orders
Typically, employers won’t ask for any certification for the role, apart from, in some cases, a high school diploma. A diploma is a good way to demonstrate your knowledge in math and customer service principles. Other than that, you can take additional courses on customer service in hospitality that might help you land your first job with no experience.
Similarly to restaurant Servers, Fine Dining Servers must be excellent at customer service. However, in addition, Fine Dining Servers have to provide the guest with the highest level of service. This includes very particular practices such as getting into a habit of serving the customers only from the left-hand side and ensuring their overall dining experience is impeccable from start to end.
Given this is a front-of-house role, Servers sometimes have to deal with difficult customers. You might bring dishes in the wrong order or deliver meals late. When that happens, Servers usually apologize and involve Restaurant Managers to solve the problem if they have to.Some people prefer working in a less hectic environment with fewer time constraints. However, during busy hours, Servers are expected to juggle a couple of things at once. You need to be able to work well under pressure while providing excellent customer service.
Servers dealing with difficult customers can always involve their Restaurant Manager. However, before that, it’s always advisable to listen to the customer’s concerns and apologize in case you’ve made a genuine mistake. In most cases, staying calm under pressure is the best thing you can do in any uncomfortable situation at work.