Serve food to individuals outside of a restaurant environment, such as in hotel rooms, hospital rooms, residential care facilities, or cars.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
SOC: 35-3041 O*NET: 35-3041.00
Median Salary
$34,460
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
48
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Serve food to individuals outside of a restaurant environment, such as in hotel rooms, hospital rooms, residential care facilities, or cars.
What does a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$26,590
10th percentile
Early Career
$29,800
25th percentile
Median
$34,460
50th percentile
Experienced
$37,550
75th percentile
Top Earners
$44,770
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$26,590
25th
$29,800
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$34,460
Mean: $35,030
75th
$37,550
90th
$44,770
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $18,180 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $29,800 and $37,550
- •Salary spread is 22.5% around the median, showing low variation
- •Total national employment: 271,780 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:277,200
Top Industries
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities47.8%
Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly26.5%
Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities)20.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3%
Annual Openings:48,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)277,200
Current
2034 (Projected)285,300
+3%
+8,200
Employment Change
+3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Food Servers, Nonrestaurant professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
29,570 jobs$37,6900.93x
Pennsylvania
17,650 jobs$31,0701.67x
Texas
16,380 jobs$29,5900.67x
Illinois
15,340 jobs$34,3801.44x
New York
14,690 jobs$38,0100.87x
Florida
13,590 jobs$32,1700.79x
Ohio
11,480 jobs$29,3801.18x
New Jersey
10,760 jobs$35,3101.44x
Minnesota
10,150 jobs$35,3001.97x
Michigan
8,310 jobs$31,7201.07x
Virginia
7,850 jobs$33,9201.10x
Colorado
7,810 jobs$38,1801.53x
Washington
7,300 jobs$37,7701.17x
Maryland
6,680 jobs$35,0201.38x
North Carolina
6,130 jobs$30,5600.71x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Service Orientation
70%
#3
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.5
70%
Active Listening
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Shampooers100%
3 shared skills
Amusement and Recreation Attendants75%
3 shared skills
Cashiers75%
3 shared skills
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop75%
3 shared skills
Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants75%
3 shared skills
Manicurists and Pedicurists75%
3 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Service Orientation
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Facebook
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Training & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)
1
Monitor food distribution, ensuring that meals are delivered to the correct recipients and that guidelines, such as those for special diets, are followed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Clean or sterilize dishes, kitchen utensils, equipment, or facilities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Examine trays to ensure that they contain required items.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Place food servings on plates or trays according to orders or instructions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development91% perform94%
5
Load trays with accessories, such as eating utensils, napkins, or condiments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Take food orders and relay orders to kitchens or serving counters so they can be filled.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Stock service stations with items, such as ice, napkins, or straws.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Remove trays and stack dishes for return to kitchen after meals are finished.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Prepare food items, such as sandwiches, salads, soups, or beverages.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Monitor food preparation or serving techniques to ensure that proper procedures are followed.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •50% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant professionals typically have a RSC Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
SSocial
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.49
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.49
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.47
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.44
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.41
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.36
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Self-Control
4.5
Dependability
4.4
Integrity
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Cooperation
4.3
Independence
4.3
Initiative
4.2
Social Orientation
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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