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.
Move3
Help bus tables and clear dishes
+Clear dirty plates and glassware from table eight, consolidate scraps into the buss tray, wipe and reset the…
Help bus tables and clear dishes
+Clear dirty plates and glassware from table eight, consolidate scraps into the buss tray, wipe and reset the place settings for the next guests, flag any brokenware to management before returning the tray to the dish pit.
The tools that do the workPOSjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Serve food or beverages
+Deliver appetizers to table five hot and plated, announce each dish by name, check back in two minutes for…
Serve food or beverages
+Deliver appetizers to table five hot and plated, announce each dish by name, check back in two minutes for condiments or water top-ups, and note any spill or breakages to avoid delays.
The tools that do the workHospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-SaleESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Take food and drink orders
+Take the food and drink order from table eight, repeat each item back, suggest a pairing for the wine, note…
Take food and drink orders
+Take the food and drink order from table eight, repeat each item back, suggest a pairing for the wine, note modifications and allergies, and enter the courses so appetizers and mains print separately to the kitchen.
The tools that do the workComprisjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Analysing1
Address dietary requirements or concerns
+Listen to the guest's allergy concern, repeat it to confirm 'no shellfish', mark the ticket clearly and…
Address dietary requirements or concerns
+Listen to the guest's allergy concern, repeat it to confirm 'no shellfish', mark the ticket clearly and notify the chef to prepare an alternative, then return and reassure the guest the meal will be safe.
The tools that do the workComprisESCOjob descriptions
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Sending & sharing1
Take payments
+Bring the bill to table five, accept the card or cash, run the transaction for the exact amount, print or…
Take payments
+Bring the bill to table five, accept the card or cash, run the transaction for the exact amount, print or email the receipt per guest preference, and close the check while thanking them by name.
The tools that do the workIntuit QuickBooks Point of SaleESCOjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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The daily work20
Follow rules and guidelines set by management
+Follow the floor manager's service standards for my section tonight: greet every table within two minutes,…
Follow rules and guidelines set by management
+Follow the floor manager's service standards for my section tonight: greet every table within two minutes, read allergy notes aloud, offer menu recommendations for guests with dietary needs, log any incidents to the shift report before leaving.
The tools that do the workHospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-SaleWikipedia
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Restock supplies at workstations
+Walk every station and restock napkins, salt and pepper, ketchup bottles, spare menus, pens and order pads so…
Restock supplies at workstations
+Walk every station and restock napkins, salt and pepper, ketchup bottles, spare menus, pens and order pads so each station is ready for the next shift; replace any soiled items and note low inventory on the supply sheet before 6 p.m.
The tools that do the workPOSO*NETWikipedia
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Upsell menu items and specials
+At each table suggest the three highest-margin specials and a recommended wine or cocktail, describe why the…
Upsell menu items and specials
+At each table suggest the three highest-margin specials and a recommended wine or cocktail, describe why the guest will like them based on their order, and enter the suggested items into the ticket if the guest agrees before courses are sent.
The tools that do the workMICROS Systems HSI Profits Seriesjob descriptionsO*NET
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Greet guests and seat them
+Greet arriving guests within 60 seconds, confirm party size and seating preference, offer the highchair or…
Greet guests and seat them
+Greet arriving guests within 60 seconds, confirm party size and seating preference, offer the highchair or accessible table if needed, then assign and mark the table as seated on the floor plan so bussers and kitchen see status.
The tools that do the workHospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-Salejob descriptionsO*NET
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Serve food and beverages to tables
+Deliver food and drinks promptly, announce each dish by name, check for allergies or special requests before…
Serve food and beverages to tables
+Deliver food and drinks promptly, announce each dish by name, check for allergies or special requests before serving, place plates to the right and clear empty dishes within two minutes after guests finish to maintain table flow.
The tools that do the workNCR NeighborhoodPOSjob descriptionsO*NET
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Prepare tables
+Set each table with clean linens, polished cutlery, folded napkins, fresh water glasses, and the printed…
Prepare tables
+Set each table with clean linens, polished cutlery, folded napkins, fresh water glasses, and the printed menu; inspect settings for chips or stains and correct anything before seating the first guest of the shift.
The tools that do the workComprisESCOjob descriptions
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Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
+When a guest orders alcohol, request a valid government ID, check name and birthdate against the minimum age,…
Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
+When a guest orders alcohol, request a valid government ID, check name and birthdate against the minimum age, refuse service and notify the manager if ID is missing or appears fake, and note the check with the server initials.
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 individual checks that list each guest's food and drink items, calculate line-item prices, add the…
Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.
+Prepare individual checks that list each guest's food and drink items, calculate line-item prices, add the correct sales tax and service charge, and present the totaled checks to the table for verification before printing.
The tools that do the workNCR Advanced CheckoutO*NET
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Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.
+Explain how our pan-seared salmon is cooked, name the main ingredients and potential allergens, describe the…
Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.
+Explain how our pan-seared salmon is cooked, name the main ingredients and potential allergens, describe the sauce and sides, and offer alternates or cooking adjustments for dietary requests.
The tools that do the workPOSO*NET
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Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers.
+Top up the salt, pepper, sugar, cream, ketchup, mustard and napkin dispensers on station three, wipe the…
Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers.
+Top up the salt, pepper, sugar, cream, ketchup, mustard and napkin dispensers on station three, wipe the containers to food-safe standard, note anything cracked or empty, and restock extras from the service cupboard.
The tools that do the workThe General StoreO*NET
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Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine.
+Make a round of hot coffees, iced teas and mixed cocktails to the guests at table five, follow recipes, check…
Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine.
+Make a round of hot coffees, iced teas and mixed cocktails to the guests at table five, follow recipes, check temperatures, garnish correctly, and chill the requested bottle of Sauvignon Blanc in the wine bucket.
The tools that do the workHospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-SaleO*NET
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Provide guests with information about local areas, including directions.
+Give the guests clear walking directions to the waterfront and the nearest subway entrance, note approximate…
Provide guests with information about local areas, including directions.
+Give the guests clear walking directions to the waterfront and the nearest subway entrance, note approximate travel times, recommend two nearby restaurants and a pharmacy, and offer a printed map or to text the addresses.
The tools that do the workFacebookO*NET
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Describe and recommend wines to customers.
+Describe the Pinot Noir and the Chardonnay on the list, highlight tasting notes, grape origin and food…
Describe and recommend wines to customers.
+Describe the Pinot Noir and the Chardonnay on the list, highlight tasting notes, grape origin and food pairings, recommend one by price and one by palate for the party's duck and seafood choices, and offer a taste pour if they want.
The tools that do the workMICROS Systems HSI Profits SeriesO*NET
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Coordinate timing with bar and kitchen
+Coordinate courses with the bar and kitchen so appetizers hit the table within two minutes of drinks, mains…
Coordinate timing with bar and kitchen
+Coordinate courses with the bar and kitchen so appetizers hit the table within two minutes of drinks, mains are paged to the expo together, and no table waits more than five minutes between courses during Friday dinner service.
The tools that do the workHospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-Salejob descriptions
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Follow food safety and hygiene standards
+Follow food safety and hygiene standards by changing gloves between handling raw and ready-to-eat items,…
Follow food safety and hygiene standards
+Follow food safety and hygiene standards by changing gloves between handling raw and ready-to-eat items, logging temperature checks on every shift, and removing any suspect plate or garnish immediately during tonight's lunch service.
The tools that do the workCompris Advanced Manager's Workstationjob descriptions
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Assist with opening and closing tasks
+Assist with opening and closing by running the prep checklist: restock condiments, set up service stations,…
Assist with opening and closing tasks
+Assist with opening and closing by running the prep checklist: restock condiments, set up service stations, verify register floats, and lock the service doors with the manager at 10:30pm tonight.
The tools that do the workMICROS Systems HSI Profits Seriesjob descriptions
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Support teammates during busy shifts
+Support teammates during the Saturday dinner rush by bussing free tables, consolidating tickets for the expo,…
Support teammates during busy shifts
+Support teammates during the Saturday dinner rush by bussing free tables, consolidating tickets for the expo, chasing missing sides, and taking any two-top to host waitlist when servers need relief.
The tools that do the workPOSjob descriptions
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Provide menu recommendations
+Provide menu recommendations by asking about allergies and cravings, suggesting the chef's special for…
Provide menu recommendations
+Provide menu recommendations by asking about allergies and cravings, suggesting the chef's special for tonight's low-spice request, and pairing the salmon with the citrus side to a party of four at table 12.
The tools that do the workThe General Storejob descriptions
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Polish dishes and silverware
+Polish dishes and silverware before service by running two cloth cycles, checking every fork and spoon for…
Polish dishes and silverware
+Polish dishes and silverware before service by running two cloth cycles, checking every fork and spoon for spots under bright light, and staging sets of clean cutlery at each station by 4:30pm.
The tools that do the workNCR Advanced CheckoutWikipedia
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The general store
+Charge the shared appetizers, note comp for the late salad, and log each table's tip and card split into the…
The general store
+Charge the shared appetizers, note comp for the late salad, and log each table's tip and card split into the general store so end-of-shift totals match the cash drawer and payroll sheet.
The tools that do the workThe General StoreO*NET
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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