Most people looking to find a job in hospitality with no previous work experience turn to waiting tables. It’s an entry-level position that doesn’t require any educational background. All you need to be a good Waitress/Waiter is a strong will and a good work ethic.
If you’re considering this line of work, you’re probably wondering what the pros and cons of being a Waitress/Waiter are. Just like with other jobs, it has its positives and negatives.
That‘s why we came up with this article that covers the the highs and the lows of the role — which should will help you make a well-informed decision.
Overview of Waitstaff Job Pros and Cons
Below is a table showing the main pros and cons of being a Waitress/Waiter that we’ll talk about in the next sections.
| Pros | Cons |
| Potential to make good money | Inconsistent earnings |
| Honing people skills | Complications of tipped income |
| Networking opportunities | Working weekends and holidays |
| Developing patience and multitasking skills | Dealing with difficult customers |
| Free or discounted meals | Physically demanding |
| Consistent daily schedule | No extra benefits |
| Lots of employment opportunities | |
| Career advancement in hospitality |
Keep in mind that these are all subjective, so whether you find something an advantage or disadvantage might depend on the type of person you are.
Editor’s note: The terms Waiter/Waitress and Server are used interchangeably throughout this article. Many establishments only employ one person to carry out the duties of both roles, which are similar.
The term “Server” is gender-neutral and is considered more “professional.” “Waiter” and “Waitress”, on the other hand, are used for male and female employees respectively.
Pros of Being a Waitress/Waiter
There are a few notable advantages to being a Waitress/Waiter. You can make decent money from the get-go. You don’t need any special training or formal education to start waiting tables. Let’s get into more detail.
Potential to earn good money
While waitstaff typically don’t make a lot from wages, tipping culture in the United States allows them to earn good money. For context, the average base salary for a Waiter/Waitress in the United States is $36,530 plus tips. This translates to an hourly wage of $17.56 before tips.
Tips are a big portion of their overall earnings, sometimes exceeding their base wages. In most places, the customary tip for waitstaff ranges between 15% and 20% of the total bill, though this percentage can fluctuate based on several key factors.
- Location: Urban areas and high-cost-of-living states tend to have higher tipping percentages, whereas more rural areas may see lower gratuities. Cities with strong tourism industries — such as New York, Las Vegas and Miami — often yield higher tips due to a higher volume of visitors and increased spending on dining experiences.
- Type of establishment: Fine-dining restaurants generally produce higher tips than casual diners, cafes, or chain restaurants. Upscale establishments often attract customers who are accustomed to tipping generously, while fast-casual or budget-friendly restaurants may result in lower overall gratuities.
- Customer behavior: The generosity of customers can vary based on demographics, cultural norms and personal experiences. Some guests may tip well out of habit, while others may base their gratuity on the quality of service, food or their mood at the time of dining.
- Time of shift: Evening and weekend shifts, particularly in busy restaurants, often bring in higher tips than daytime or weekday shifts. Late-night service at bars or high-end restaurants may yield even greater earnings.
- Group size and bill total: Serving large parties or high-spending customers can lead to substantial tips, especially if gratuity is included for groups. However, there is always a risk of undertipping, especially in regions where tipping culture is not strongly enforced.
Pro tip: Find out the top restaurants in the U.S. where waitstaff can likely earn more.
Honing people skills through social interactions
If you’re a social person, getting to meet new people daily can be a huge advantage to serving. You’ll get to interact with people from all walks of life, hear interesting stories and form long-lasting personal and professional relationships. Beyond just taking orders and delivering food, you’ll engage in conversations, handle special requests and provide memorable dining experiences.
These daily interactions help build strong communication skills, adaptability and emotional intelligence — all of which are essential soft skills that are transferrable to many roles in the broader hospitality industry.
Not to mention, the experience can make you mentally stronger and improve your ability to navigate challenging social situations. You’ll learn how to anticipate customers’ needs, manage difficult people and prevent misunderstandings from escalating into conflict.
Networking opportunities
Being a Waiter or Waitress also allows you to form connections that can benefit your career in the long run. Whether it’s regular customers, your colleagues or other industry professionals, the relationships you build as a waitstaff member can open doors to future opportunities.
Some may even provide valuable job leads or referrals, especially in cities where the restaurant industry is tight-knit.
Developing patience and multitasking skills
You probably already know that this role entails juggling multiple responsibilities at once, often in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment. From taking orders and delivering food to handling special requests and resolving customer concerns, restaurant serving demands strong multitasking abilities and a high level of patience.
Patience is essential when dealing with difficult customers, long wait times or unexpected challenges during a shift. Learning how to stay calm under pressure and manage stressful situations professionally can be valuable in any career path, particularly in customer-facing roles.
Multitasking, on the other hand, is a crucial skill that waitstaff develop quickly. After all, they must balance several tasks simultaneously — taking orders, coordinating with the kitchen, refilling drinks and checking on tables — all while maintaining a friendly and professional demeanor.
This ability to prioritize and work efficiently is highly transferable and sought after in many industries. So, whether you continue in the hospitality industry or transition to another profession, the patience and multitasking abilities you develop as a Server can set you apart in job applications and interviews.
Free or discounted meals
In most restaurants, waitstaff get a free meal once per day, or at least access to food at discounted rates. Some restaurants even allow waitstaff to take food home after their shift is over. This allows them to save a significant amount of money.
Consistent daily schedule
Unless you have to deal with some unforeseen circumstances, your daily schedule will be rather consistent. You’ll have a set of daily duties you’ll have to carry out. Knowing what to expect during your shift can help reduce anxiety.
Lots of employment opportunities
The restaurant industry is thriving. There will always be jobs for eager applicants willing to work as a Server. This means that not only will you always be able to find employment, but you’ll also be able to choose between multiple restaurants when applying or switching jobs.
Explore Waiter/Waitress jobs nearby
Career advancement in the hospitality industry
Starting as a Waiter or Waitress can be a stepping stone to a long-term career in the hospitality industry. Many restaurant professionals began their careers as Servers, using their experience to move up the ranks.
As a Server, you gain essential skills in customer service, multitasking and teamwork, which are all highly valued in leadership roles. With experience and dedication, you can transition into higher-paying positions such as Restaurant Manager. Some Servers even pursue career paths as such as Executive Chef, Sommelier or Director of Restaurant Operations.
Beyond restaurant management, your experience can open doors to related fields like catering, events, hotel operations or even owning your own restaurant one day. That said, if you’re considering a long-term future in the industry, look for opportunities to take on more responsibilities, learn from mentorsand develop leadership skills that will set you apart.
Cons of Working as a Waitress/Waiter
We’ve discussed some of the good in the previous section. Now, let’s discuss some of the bad.
Working as a Waiter/Waitress might not be for you if you’re not very sociable. Difficult customers, unpleasant co-workers and long, late shifts are common occurrences on the job.
Inconsistent earnings and financial uncertainty
As previously mentioned, waitstaff generally make more money from tips rather than their base salary. While this can lead to high earnings at times, it also means income is unpredictable and you might not make as much money as you probably hoped to make.
For instance, a Friday night shift at a packed restaurant can yield excellent tips, while a Monday afternoon shift might be painfully slow. Newer employees may also struggle to secure the most profitable shifts, further affecting their pay.
Moreover, restaurant waitstaff in tourist-heavy areas may see a surge in tips during peak travel seasons but experience sharp declines in the off-season. These inconsistencies make financial planning difficult and can be one of the main disadvantages of being a Waitress/Waiter.
Additionally, tip pooling can further impact take-home earnings. While this practice can help balance pay disparities among staff, it may also reduce an individual’s overall earnings, especially if they serve high-spending customers.
Tax complications of tipped income
In relation to the previous section, tips also happen to be taxable income that employees are required to report. Because a significant portion of tips are received in cash, keeping track of these can be challenging.
Some workers underestimate their taxes, leading to potential financial surprises come tax season. That said, here are some key points to take note of:
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires tipped employees to report all tips totaling $20 or more per month to their employer for tax withholding.
- Tips are subject to federal and state income tax, Social Security and Medicare taxes — just like regular wages.
- Failure to accurately report tip income can result in IRS penalties or back taxes owed.
Pro tip: Many waitstaff use tip-tracking apps or logs to ensure they report their earnings correctly and avoid unexpected tax liabilities.
Working on weekends and holidays
Most people get to spend their holidays and weekends however they choose. Many of them like to visit restaurants and bars.
Waitstaff don’t have the luxury of enjoying time off on weekends and holidays. In fact, they typically have to work busy shifts during weekends and holidays. This makes it hard to keep a good work-life balance.
On the bright side, you can make extra money working weekends or holidays.
Dealing with difficult customers
Difficult customers can make serving one of the most stressful jobs there is. This is especially true if you’re working in an establishment that mainly serves alcohol.
For this reason, many establishments require employees to have Responsible Alcohol Service training. This program teaches how to responsibly serve alcohol and how to deal with difficult customers by de-escalating the situation.
Physically demanding
Waitstaff spend long hours on their feet, often walking miles during a single shift. Their job involves constant movement when running food, refilling drinks, clearing tables and resetting dining areas. On top of that, tasks like carrying heavy trays, lifting chairs and hauling trash bins add strain to the body.
Repetitive motions and the fast-paced environment can lead to sore muscles, joint pain and even long-term physical wear and tear. If you’re not used to this level of activity, it may take time to build the stamina and strength needed to keep up with the demands of the job.
Fortunately, many Waiters and Waitresses develop resilience over time. However, prioritizing proper footwear, stretching and hydration can make the difference between lasting in the industry and burning out too soon.
Not a lot of extra benefits
Many restaurants don’t provide many other extra benefits to Servers. You get an hourly wage, tips from customers and perhaps discounts on meals. That’s it.
In most cases, you’ll have to pay for your own health and dental insurance. Many restaurants don’t even offer sick leave and paid time off.
All of this can make it quite difficult to take a break when needed or visit a hospital when you know it’s coming out of your own pocket.
Is Being a Waiter/Waitress Worth It?
The pros and cons of being a Waitress/Waiter that we’ve talked about aren’t set in stone. As mentioned, some of these vary based on location and establishment.
Not all restaurants are the same. Some restaurants offer many benefits, including sick days, dental, health insurance and more.
At the end of the day, if you enjoy interacting with people and don’t mind working irregular hours, then being a Server might be your calling.
It’s a profession that doesn’t require any formal education. With enough time and experience, you can move to other jobs in the hospitality industry. For instance, you can work as a Barback, then advance to a Bartending position or start working as a Host/Hostess.
