Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.
Waiters and Waitresses
SOC: 35-3031 O*NET: 35-3031.00
Median Salary
$33,760
per year
Job Growth
📉 -0.7%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
456.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.
What does a Waiters and Waitresses do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$18,500
10th percentile
Early Career
$25,690
25th percentile
Median
$33,760
50th percentile
Experienced
$45,350
75th percentile
Top Earners
$62,510
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$18,500
25th
$25,690
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$33,760
Mean: $38,360
75th
$45,350
90th
$62,510
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $44,010 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $25,690 and $45,350
- •Salary spread is 58.2% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 2,302,690 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:2,329,700
Top Industries
Food Services and Drinking Places85.9%
Restaurants and Other Eating Places81.1%
Full-Service Restaurants75.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-0.7%
Annual Openings:456,700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)2,329,700
Current
2034 (Projected)2,313,500
-0.7%
-16,300
Employment Change
-0.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Waiters and Waitresses professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
243,300 jobs$35,2900.90x
Texas
210,170 jobs$27,9301.02x
Florida
208,920 jobs$29,5801.42x
New York
140,890 jobs$46,4600.99x
Illinois
84,550 jobs$29,1200.93x
Pennsylvania
82,920 jobs$30,3000.92x
Ohio
76,260 jobs$36,0300.92x
North Carolina
74,110 jobs$28,4601.01x
Georgia
71,870 jobs$20,0400.99x
Michigan
64,920 jobs$35,9400.99x
Virginia
61,260 jobs$36,9901.01x
New Jersey
56,560 jobs$38,7200.89x
Arizona
55,010 jobs$36,7301.15x
Tennessee
53,400 jobs$28,4101.09x
Massachusetts
50,160 jobs$36,3900.92x
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
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Service Orientation
100%
#2
Speaking
88%
#3
Active Listening
76%
#4
Social Perceptiveness
64%
#5
Coordination
52%
#6
Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Service Orientation
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
intermediate4.4
88%
Active Listening
intermediate3.8
76%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.2
64%
Coordination
basic2.6
52%
Monitoring
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:
Service Orientation
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance88%
skills
4.4/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance76%
skills
3.8/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance64%
skills
3.2/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance52%
skills
2.6/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Funeral Attendants100%
5 shared skills
Costume Attendants83%
5 shared skills
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers83%
5 shared skills
Nursing Assistants75%
5 shared skills
Passenger Attendants75%
5 shared skills
Tour Guides and Escorts75%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Coordination
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Speaking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
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 Waiters and Waitresses
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Technology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
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
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (14)Documentation & Record-Keeping (6)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Collect payments from customers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals, and take action to correct any problems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Inform customers of daily specials.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% 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 Waiters and Waitresses
💡 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?
Waiters and Waitresses professionals typically have a SCE Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Waiters and Waitresses
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.44
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.40
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.33
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.28
Social Orientation
Very ImportantSocial Orientation
Importance Level4.16
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.06
Complete Work Styles Profile
Stress Tolerance
4.4
Self-Control
4.4
Dependability
4.3
Integrity
4.3
Social Orientation
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.1
Cooperation
4.1
Attention to Detail
3.8
Concern for Others
3.8
Independence
3.7
💡 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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