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 & sharing3
Take payments
+Process the customer's bill at table 12, accept card or cash, confirm the amount with the guest, issue a…
Take payments
+Process the customer's bill at table 12, accept card or cash, confirm the amount with the guest, issue a printed receipt, place cash in the till, and hand the credit slip to Maria in evening shift for reconciliation.
The tools that do the workPOSESCOjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Escort customers to their tables.
+Lead the party of three from the entrance to the reserved window table, pull out the chair for the elderly…
Escort customers to their tables.
+Lead the party of three from the entrance to the reserved window table, pull out the chair for the elderly guest, offer the menus and explain today's specials while noting any access or seating needs.
The tools that do the workPOSjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Serve food or beverages
+Deliver the main courses to table six, announce each dish clearly, place plates with the hot side toward the…
Serve food or beverages
+Deliver the main courses to table six, announce each dish clearly, place plates with the hot side toward the guest, refill water and check back in two minutes for anything else.
The tools that do the workHospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-SaleESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Convincing2
Take food and drink orders
+Write down guests' food and drink choices for table 5, confirm allergy notes with the kitchen, repeat the…
Take food and drink orders
+Write down guests' food and drink choices for table 5, confirm allergy notes with the kitchen, repeat the order to the customers, enter the items to the service docket so the cooks start, and check back in five minutes to confirm timing.
The tools that do the workPOSjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Address dietary requirements or concerns
+When a guest asks about allergens at table two, note their restriction, confirm ingredients with the kitchen,…
Address dietary requirements or concerns
+When a guest asks about allergens at table two, note their restriction, confirm ingredients with the kitchen, suggest safe menu options, record the dietary note on their order, and follow up when the dish arrives.
The tools that do the workMICROS Systems HSI Profits SeriesESCOjob descriptions
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Care1
Help bus tables and clear dishes
+Clear dirty plates and glassware from table four, buss the seats, stack reusable serviceware by size, wipe…
Help bus tables and clear dishes
+Clear dirty plates and glassware from table four, buss the seats, stack reusable serviceware by size, wipe crumbs into the bin, check for cutlery left under plates, and place a fresh set of napkins and menus before flagging the table as ready.
The tools that do the workNCR NeighborhoodPOSjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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The daily work20
Restock supplies at workstations
+Restock napkins, condiments, and cutlery at stations two, four and the patio stand before the 6pm rush, check…
Restock supplies at workstations
+Restock napkins, condiments, and cutlery at stations two, four and the patio stand before the 6pm rush, check inventory counts and remove any chipped glassware or expired condiments first.
The tools that do the workThe General StoreO*NETWikipedia
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Upsell menu items and specials
+Recommend tonight's specials and a wine pairing to table seven and suggest the grilled salmon upgrade to…
Upsell menu items and specials
+Recommend tonight's specials and a wine pairing to table seven and suggest the grilled salmon upgrade to parties of two or more while taking orders so the kitchen can prepare the extras immediately.
The tools that do the workPOSjob descriptionsO*NET
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Greet guests and seat them
+Welcome arriving guests, confirm reservation under Martinez for six, seat them at the corner booth, offer…
Greet guests and seat them
+Welcome arriving guests, confirm reservation under Martinez for six, seat them at the corner booth, offer water and allergy-friendly menus, and note their preference for low lighting on the reservation.
The tools that do the workCompris Advanced Manager's Workstationjob descriptionsO*NET
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Serve food and beverages to tables
+Serve mains to table three and four with the correct condiments and check the two unfamiliar dietary notes…
Serve food and beverages to tables
+Serve mains to table three and four with the correct condiments and check the two unfamiliar dietary notes before leaving, return within two minutes to top up drinks and confirm temperature is correct.
The tools that do the workHospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-Salejob descriptionsO*NET
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Prepare tables
+Set four place settings at the window table with clean linens, polished cutlery, water glasses and the…
Prepare tables
+Set four place settings at the window table with clean linens, polished cutlery, water glasses and the specials card, sanitize the table edge and confirm chairs are stable before seating.
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.
+Ask the customer for a government photo ID at the bar, visually verify name and birthdate meet the legal age,…
Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
+Ask the customer for a government photo ID at the bar, visually verify name and birthdate meet the legal age, refuse service politely if uncertain, and log the refusal with the manager on duty.
The tools that do the workMICROS Systems HSI Profits SeriesO*NET
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Follow rules and guidelines set by management
+Follow the restaurant's service standards tonight: greet every table within one minute, read allergy and…
Follow rules and guidelines set by management
+Follow the restaurant's service standards tonight: greet every table within one minute, read allergy and dietary notes on the guest sheet before taking orders, plate food exactly to the menu photos, and log any guest complaints to management by shift end.
The tools that do the workHospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-SaleWikipedia
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Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.
+Prepare individual guest checks that list each food and drink ordered with unit prices, add applicable sales…
Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.
+Prepare individual guest checks that list each food and drink ordered with unit prices, add applicable sales tax by state rate, show subtotal, tax, and grand total, and arrange them for separate or combined payment as guests request.
The tools that do the workPOSO*NET
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Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.
+Describe to the table how the grilled salmon is seasoned and pan-seared, what comes in the vegetarian risotto…
Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.
+Describe to the table how the grilled salmon is seasoned and pan-seared, what comes in the vegetarian risotto and how it’s finished, and explain allergens and doneness options so guests can choose safely.
The tools that do the workFacebookO*NET
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Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers.
+Check all tabletop shakers and dispensers and refill salt, pepper, sugar packets, creamers, ketchup and…
Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers.
+Check all tabletop shakers and dispensers and refill salt, pepper, sugar packets, creamers, ketchup and mustard bottles, and napkin holders so each station is neat, full, and free of sticky residue before the next seating.
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.
+Mix and serve requested hot coffees, iced teas, cocktails and mocktails according to the recipe book, and…
Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine.
+Mix and serve requested hot coffees, iced teas, cocktails and mocktails according to the recipe book, and chill ordered wine bottles to service temperature in the wine bucket before presenting them to the guest.
The tools that do the workComprisO*NET
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Provide guests with information about local areas, including directions.
+When guests ask, give clear directions to nearby attractions, recommend safe walking routes and transit…
Provide guests with information about local areas, including directions.
+When guests ask, give clear directions to nearby attractions, recommend safe walking routes and transit options, and print or hand them a short list of addresses and opening hours for local sights.
The tools that do the workFacebookO*NET
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Describe and recommend wines to customers.
+Talk through the wine list by noting grape, region, body and pairing suggestions, offer a taste of two…
Describe and recommend wines to customers.
+Talk through the wine list by noting grape, region, body and pairing suggestions, offer a taste of two recommended bottles, and guide the guest to a choice that matches their food and budget.
The tools that do the workHospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-SaleO*NET
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Coordinate timing with bar and kitchen
+Coordinate service pacing with the bar and the kitchen so appetizers hit tables two minutes after drinks,…
Coordinate timing with bar and kitchen
+Coordinate service pacing with the bar and the kitchen so appetizers hit tables two minutes after drinks, mains follow within eight minutes, and desserts are held until the table asks — confirm tickets and notify expo if any delay over three minutes.
The tools that do the workHospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-Salejob descriptions
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Follow food safety and hygiene standards
+Run the daily hygiene checklist, discard any perishable held over two hours, confirm gloves and sanitizer are…
Follow food safety and hygiene standards
+Run the daily hygiene checklist, discard any perishable held over two hours, confirm gloves and sanitizer are stocked, and log temperature readings for the fridges before the lunch shift starts.
The tools that do the workCompris Advanced Manager's Workstationjob descriptions
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Assist with opening and closing tasks
+Prepare opening: set five place stations, check water and cutlery counts, run a quick sidework for mise en…
Assist with opening and closing tasks
+Prepare opening: set five place stations, check water and cutlery counts, run a quick sidework for mise en place, and at closing sweep and restock condiments, lock dry storage and record any shortages.
The tools that do the workPOSjob descriptions
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Support teammates during busy shifts
+During the rush, drop a hand to clear plates, cover a section for Mia for ten minutes, run trays for window…
Support teammates during busy shifts
+During the rush, drop a hand to clear plates, cover a section for Mia for ten minutes, run trays for window tables, and call for a runner when any table needs water refills or allergy assistance.
The tools that do the workMICROS Systems HSI Profits Seriesjob descriptions
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Provide menu recommendations
+Recommend dishes by asking about tastes and allergies, suggest two crowd-pleasers and one lighter option,…
Provide menu recommendations
+Recommend dishes by asking about tastes and allergies, suggest two crowd-pleasers and one lighter option, mention today's specials and wine pairing, then check back after the first two bites.
The tools that do the workThe General Storejob descriptions
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Polish dishes and silverware
+Polish the service set: hand-scrub silverware to remove spots, steam-iron napkins, stack plates by size and…
Polish dishes and silverware
+Polish the service set: hand-scrub silverware to remove spots, steam-iron napkins, stack plates by size and place polished forks, knives and spoons into the service tray ready for the evening shift.
The tools that do the workNCR Advanced CheckoutWikipedia
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The general store
+Record today's cover, courses served, voids and tips into the general store sales log for table 12 and the…
The general store
+Record today's cover, courses served, voids and tips into the general store sales log for table 12 and the bar, flag the two complaints about slow starters, and email the manager the end‑of‑shift summary by midnight.
The tools that do the workThe General StoreO*NET
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Says who?
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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