Skip to content

Waiters and Waitresses

Food Preparation and Serving Related (35-3031)
Bright Outlook

Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.

At a Glance

Waiters and Waitresses earns a median of $33,760/yr with -0.7% projected growth. Typical entry: No formal educational credential. Top skills: Facebook, Performing for or Working Directly with the Public, Service Orientation.

Median Annual Wage

$33,760/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

-0.7%

Annual Openings

457

Typical Education

No formal educational credential

Skills & Requirements

Skills (4)

Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

3.9
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

3.5
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

3.5
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

3.4

Knowledge (3)

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

3.9
English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

3.6
Sales and Marketing

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

3.3

Abilities (7)

Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

3.9
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

3.8
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.8
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

3.8
Stamina

The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.

3.3
Time Sharing

The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).

3.3
Trunk Strength

The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.

3.3

Technology (1)

Facebook

Category: Web page creation and editing software | Hot Technology

4.5

Work Activities (7)

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

4.0
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

3.9
Performing General Physical Activities

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

3.8
Handling and Moving Objects

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

3.7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

3.6
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

3.5
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

3.3

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to build these skills?

Sign up to find courses that teach these skills, track your progress, and build a skills passport aligned to Waiters and Waitresses.

Get Started Free