Top 10 Restaurant Jobs No Experience in New York City, NY – December 2024 Salaries
We curated some of the best restaurant jobs in New York City (NYC) that require no experience.
With 5.7 million job openings projected every year, below are the annual average job openings for some occupations that do not require formal education and work experience.
[Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)]
This graph is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the graph to see detailed data.
Although occupations like Cashier and Waiter/Waitress have little to no projected growth in employment, hundreds of thousands of jobs should still be available following current employees leaving their positions, getting promoted or retiring.
Best Restaurant Jobs No Experience in NYC (Hiring Now!)
Check out some of the best restaurant jobs that require no experience available in NYC right now.
How To Get a Restaurant Job With No Experience
Many restaurant jobs require no work experience. Improve your chances of getting into the restaurant industry by taking the following steps.
Employers take an average of 60 seconds to browse through a resume. One study even claimed just six. Make yours stand out.
Write a simple yet clear resume that highlights your skills, education and any experience that supports your ability to be effective in your desired role.
List down the most relevant skills in your resume, such as customer service and communication. Also, add your highest-attained education level (e.g., high school diploma, bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, etc.).
Although a degree is not often required for most restaurant jobs, some employers may include this as a requirement.
Lastly, add your updated contact info and keep everything short and simple. If possible, keep it to one page.
Positions like Server, Dishwasher, Busser and Waiter/Waitress often require little to no experience. However, they can be excellent entry points into the industry by teaching you the basics of restaurant work.
Although these jobs can be more physically demanding, they can be a good stepping-stone for higher-level restaurant jobs.
Friends and family can also help you get your first restaurant job. If you know anyone who works in a restaurant, ask if they have any openings. Better yet, ask if they can refer you.
You can also ask about the role and what happens behind the scenes — beyond what’s listed in the job description. Some good questions to ask would be about flexibility, tips, the work culture and more.
On average, it takes six applications to get a hold of one interview. So, if you ever get invited for one, make sure you do well by practicing for it.
Make sure you research the role and the company you’re applying for. Also, read the job description thoroughly. Most interview questions will be about the responsibilities and expectations already listed in the job ad.
Average Salaries for Restaurant Jobs in NYC
NYC has unique wage laws for restaurant and hospitality employees. Although the minimum wage for all employees in the city is $16.00 per hour, the state of New York allows employers to satisfy this minimum wage by combining cash wage with tip credit.
For example, food service workers in NYC should be paid at least a minimum wage of $16.00 per hour. The employer can give them a cash wage of $10.65 per hour as long as the tip allowance is no more than $5.35 per hour.
| Type of Employee | New York City | Long Island and Westchester County | Remainder of New York State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Employees | $13.35 Cash Wage $2.65 Tip Credit | $13.35 Cash Wage $2.65 Tip Credit | $12.50 Cash Wage $2.50 Tip Credit |
| Food Service Workers | $10.65 Cash Wage $5.35 Tip Credit | $10.65 Cash Wage $5.35 Tip Credit | $10 Cash Wage $5 Tip Credit |
[Source: New York Department of Labor]
Keep in mind that restaurant job wages can increase the more experience an employee has. Check the chart below to see the difference between wages for entry-level fast-food workers versus experienced ones for both full-time and part-time positions.
[Source: BLS]
This graph is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the graph to see detailed data.
Below are the average salaries for food preparation and serving–related workers in NYC, as well as in other major cities like Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles.
Miami
Average annual wage
$35,280
Average hourly wage
$16.96
No. of employees
261,940
New York City
Average annual wage
$43,690
Average hourly wage
$21.00
No. of employees
700,430
Chicago
Average annual wage
$39,730
Average hourly wage
$19.10
No. of employees
570,740
Los Angeles
Average annual wage
$35,910
Average hourly wage
$17.27
No. of employees
368,000
Salaries for Restaurant Jobs No Experience in NYC
Restaurant Job Career Outlook
NYC’s restaurant industry provides 1 in 12 private sector jobs in the city, which makes it a major employer in the city.
In the New York metropolitan area, there are about 700,430 food preparation and serving–related employees.
The number of job openings for food preparation and serving–related workers is expected to grow nationwide by 2% between 2022 and 2032, suggesting the continued demand for restaurant workers in the country.
Legal Requirements for Restaurant Jobs No Experience in NYC
Whether you’re already a restaurant employee in NYC or applying to be one, the following legal considerations apply.
Food Handler’s License
All restaurant employees who serve food must get a Food Handler’s License upon 30 days of hiring. This is relevant to positions like Servers, Baristas, Waiters/Waitress, Bartenders, etc.
On the other hand, this may not be required for positions like Dishwashers and Busboys/Busgirls.
Both online and in-person courses are available for this license. Upon finishing the program, you can get your Food Handler’s License.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because of the fast-paced nature of restaurant work, you’re sure to learn multitasking and time management.
Most restaurant positions also require you to interact with different customers, which can improve your communication and customer service skills.
Lastly, teamwork is essential in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
The three levels of hierarchy in the food service industry are entry-level, mid-level and management positions. Below are some examples of positions per level.
- Entry-level: Dishwasher, Host/Hostess, Server, Waiter/Waitress
- Mid-level: Sous Chef, Assistant Restaurant Manager, Kitchen Manager
- Management: Restaurant Manager, Food and Beverage Director, Head Chef
Not all restaurant jobs are tipped. Some establishments may also prohibit tipping altogether.
In most cases, front-of-house staff who directly interact with customers, such as Hosts/Hostesses, Servers and Waiters/Waitresses, typically receive tips. In contrast, back-of-house staff who usually stay in the kitchen, such as Prep Cooks and Dishwashers, do not.
However, tip pooling is allowed and can even be required by employers. It’s best to discuss this with your employee or employer to avoid any confusion.
