What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Waiters and Waitresses in the U.S. earn more than $35,230 a year — the middle 80% land between $18,100 and $64,720. About 2.3 million people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Waiters and Waitresses”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Service and sales workers earn about ₹15,575 a month on average — around ₹1.9 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$35,230typical pay / year
2.3 millionpeople in this work
$64,720+top 10% earn
₹1.9 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Sending & sharing1
Take payments
+Take the customer's card or cash at table two, ring the payment on the handheld, offer a receipt, thank them…
Take payments
+Take the customer's card or cash at table two, ring the payment on the handheld, offer a receipt, thank them by name, and drop the signed receipt and cash into the safe at the end of your section before shift end.
The tools that do the workNCR NeighborhoodPOSESCOjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Move4
Take food and drink orders
+Walk the floor during the dinner rush, take drink and food orders from tables three through seven, confirm…
Take food and drink orders
+Walk the floor during the dinner rush, take drink and food orders from tables three through seven, confirm allergy requests aloud, repeat the order back, and enter each order into the order device immediately.
The tools that do the workHospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-Salejob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Help bus tables and clear dishes
+Clear all plates and glassware from completed tables on your side, stack plates correctly, scrape and bus…
Help bus tables and clear dishes
+Clear all plates and glassware from completed tables on your side, stack plates correctly, scrape and bus trays to the dish station, and reset each table within two minutes of guest departure.
The tools that do the workBlinkjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Escort customers to their tables.
+Greet arriving guests at the host stand, confirm their reservation under the name Johnson, walk them to the…
Escort customers to their tables.
+Greet arriving guests at the host stand, confirm their reservation under the name Johnson, walk them to the six-top in the patio, pull out the chairs for elderly guests, hand menus and note any seating preferences to the host log.
The tools that do the workThe General Storejob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Serve food or beverages
+Serve the runner’s ticket of four entrees and two cocktails to table 12, deliver hot plates within two…
Serve food or beverages
+Serve the runner’s ticket of four entrees and two cocktails to table 12, deliver hot plates within two minutes, announce each dish by name, check for allergies, refill water, and report any missing items to the server before leaving.
The tools that do the workHospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-SaleESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Care1
Address dietary requirements or concerns
+Confirm the guest at table 5 is dairy-free, review the plate modifiers on the ticket, notify the line cook of…
Address dietary requirements or concerns
+Confirm the guest at table 5 is dairy-free, review the plate modifiers on the ticket, notify the line cook of the dairy request, deliver the modified entrée with a brief explanation to the guest, and return immediately if any doubt remains.
The tools that do the workPOSESCOjob descriptions
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The daily work20
Follow rules and guidelines set by management
+Follow the floor manager's service checklist for tonight: deliver plates within two minutes of order call,…
Follow rules and guidelines set by management
+Follow the floor manager's service checklist for tonight: deliver plates within two minutes of order call, flag any allergies to the server, wear gloves and hair restraint, clear finished tables promptly, and report any safety or hygiene breaches before shift end.
The tools that do the workHospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-SaleWikipedia
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Restock supplies at workstations
+Restock napkins, silverware, condiments, and water pitchers at stations one through eight before the dinner…
Restock supplies at workstations
+Restock napkins, silverware, condiments, and water pitchers at stations one through eight before the dinner rush, check inventory levels and rotate stock so nothing is expired, and tell Sara if we need more lemon wedges.
The tools that do the workComprisO*NETWikipedia
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Upsell menu items and specials
+Recommend tonight’s specials and add-on starters to guests at tables three, five, and nine while refilling…
Upsell menu items and specials
+Recommend tonight’s specials and add-on starters to guests at tables three, five, and nine while refilling drinks, mention the chef’s vegan option and the two-for-one dessert deal, note any allergies and tell Jordan to fire the order if they say yes.
The tools that do the workPOSjob descriptionsO*NET
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Greet guests and seat them
+Welcome arriving guests in the host stand area, seat the party of four at the high-top by the window, hand…
Greet guests and seat them
+Welcome arriving guests in the host stand area, seat the party of four at the high-top by the window, hand them menus, note the wheelchair request, and tell Alex their server will be over in two minutes.
The tools that do the workMICROS Systems HSI Profits Seriesjob descriptionsO*NET
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Serve food and beverages to tables
+Carry plated food and drinks to tables two, four, and seven, set them down in the order courses were…
Serve food and beverages to tables
+Carry plated food and drinks to tables two, four, and seven, set them down in the order courses were promised, confirm no allergies at each table, clear empty plates between courses, and report any missing items to the kitchen.
The tools that do the workHospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-Salejob descriptionsO*NET
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Prepare tables
+Prepare tables one, six, and ten for the next seating: wipe and sanitize surfaces, replace linen and cutlery,…
Prepare tables
+Prepare tables one, six, and ten for the next seating: wipe and sanitize surfaces, replace linen and cutlery, set water glasses and menus, and flag any chipped glassware to maintenance before they’re used.
The tools that do the workNCR NeighborhoodPOSESCOjob descriptions
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Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
+Check IDs for anyone ordering alcohol at table five and the bar: inspect physical IDs, verify birthdates meet…
Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
+Check IDs for anyone ordering alcohol at table five and the bar: inspect physical IDs, verify birthdates meet the local minimum, refuse service and call a manager if ID is fake or patron is underage, and log the incident.
The tools that do the workIntuit QuickBooks Point of SaleO*NET
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Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.
+Prepare itemized guest checks that list each dish, quantities, individual prices, subtotal, sales tax at 8.5…
Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.
+Prepare itemized guest checks that list each dish, quantities, individual prices, subtotal, sales tax at 8.5 percent, service charge where applicable, and a final total, then place them on the server's pickup rail by the end of the shift.
The tools that do the workPOSO*NET
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Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.
+Explain to the table how the pan-seared salmon is cooked, list its ingredients—wild salmon, lemon butter,…
Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.
+Explain to the table how the pan-seared salmon is cooked, list its ingredients—wild salmon, lemon butter, garlic, parsley—and note allergies, then offer alternatives for gluten-free or dairy-free requests.
The tools that do the workPOSO*NET
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Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers.
+Top up all tabletop dispensers and caddies with fresh salt, pepper, sugar packets, single-serve creamers,…
Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers.
+Top up all tabletop dispensers and caddies with fresh salt, pepper, sugar packets, single-serve creamers, ketchup and mustard sachets, and replace napkin stacks, checking expiration dates and wiping surfaces before returning to the floor.
The tools that do the workO*NET
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Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine.
+Make chilled and hot beverages to order—brew fresh coffee, steam milk for lattes, mix sodas and iced teas—and…
Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine.
+Make chilled and hot beverages to order—brew fresh coffee, steam milk for lattes, mix sodas and iced teas—and chill requested bottles of wine in the ice bucket for ten minutes before presenting with a tasting pour.
The tools that do the workO*NET
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Provide guests with information about local areas, including directions.
+Give guests concise local guidance: provide walking directions to the waterfront, recommend three nearby…
Provide guests with information about local areas, including directions.
+Give guests concise local guidance: provide walking directions to the waterfront, recommend three nearby attractions with opening hours, and note the closest public transit stop and estimated walk time from the restaurant.
The tools that do the workO*NET
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Describe and recommend wines to customers.
+Describe the house red and house white by grape, body, tasting notes, and food pairings, ask about the…
Describe and recommend wines to customers.
+Describe the house red and house white by grape, body, tasting notes, and food pairings, ask about the guest's preferences, and recommend one bottle by price and one by flavor to suit their meal.
The tools that do the workO*NET
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Coordinate timing with bar and kitchen
+Coordinate plating cadence with the bar and kitchen so appetizers arrive within two minutes of drinks and…
Coordinate timing with bar and kitchen
+Coordinate plating cadence with the bar and kitchen so appetizers arrive within two minutes of drinks and mains follow hot by no more than four minutes, confirm any allergy notes with the expo before sending each ticket.
The tools that do the workHospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-Salejob descriptions
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Follow food safety and hygiene standards
+Follow handwashing, glove, and cross‑contact procedures on every run, verify temperature‑safe pickup for hot…
Follow food safety and hygiene standards
+Follow handwashing, glove, and cross‑contact procedures on every run, verify temperature‑safe pickup for hot and cold items, and flag any compromised dish to the manager immediately.
The tools that do the workCompris Advanced Manager's Workstationjob descriptions
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Assist with opening and closing tasks
+Complete opening checklist: stock service trays, polish flatware, set condiment stands, and run a pass…
Assist with opening and closing tasks
+Complete opening checklist: stock service trays, polish flatware, set condiment stands, and run a pass through the dining room to confirm stations are ready; on close, clear serviceware, strip trays, and leave a counted inventory note for the manager.
The tools that do the workThe General Storejob descriptions
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Support teammates during busy shifts
+During the shift, float to the busiest sections, take plates from servers when they need relief, run food to…
Support teammates during busy shifts
+During the shift, float to the busiest sections, take plates from servers when they need relief, run food to tables within two minutes, and call out any ticket issues to the expo so the team keeps pace.
The tools that do the workPOSjob descriptions
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Provide menu recommendations
+Offer dish suggestions by asking if guests prefer spicy, vegetarian, or quick plates, highlight two popular…
Provide menu recommendations
+Offer dish suggestions by asking if guests prefer spicy, vegetarian, or quick plates, highlight two popular mains and a lighter option, note allergies, and tell the kitchen any special requests before sending the ticket.
The tools that do the workFacebookjob descriptions
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Polish dishes and silverware
+Polish all plates and silverware before service, spot‑check for watermarks or chips, stack sets by service…
Polish dishes and silverware
+Polish all plates and silverware before service, spot‑check for watermarks or chips, stack sets by service station, and record any damaged items on the maintenance list at the end of the shift.
The tools that do the workNCR Advanced CheckoutWikipedia
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The general store
+Post the delivered entrees, delivery times, and any customer changes into the general store, mark two missing…
The general store
+Post the delivered entrees, delivery times, and any customer changes into the general store, mark two missing spring rolls with the table number and server name so kitchen can adjust prep and inventory tonight.
The tools that do the workThe General StoreO*NET
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Says who?
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Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses