How to become food servers, nonrestauranteducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Food Service Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$35,360

25th–75th pct. $31,190–$38,500

Top pay (est.)

$60,000

Top 10% $46,120

Pay in 5 years

$41,400est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$48,500est.

$41,700–$56,300

Outlook score

56/100

★★★☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

25%

Low

Job growth (10 yr)

+4.5%

49K openings / yr

How to become food servers, nonrestaurant

Typical education

No formal educational credential

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

Short-term on-the-job training

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant

Key skills

Coordination

2.6

Social Perceptiveness

2.6

Speaking

2.5

Critical Thinking

2.4

Active Listening

2.4

Monitoring

2.2

Service Orientation

2.1

Complex Problem Solving

2.1

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

English Language

3.5

Customer and Personal Service

3.5

Education and Training

3.0

Psychology

2.9

Public Safety and Security

2.8

Food Production

2.7

Mathematics

2.5

Administration and Management

2.4

What the work involves

Performing for or Working Directly with the PublicHandling and Moving ObjectsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesAssisting and Caring for OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Important abilities

Near VisionSpeech ClarityOral ExpressionOral ComprehensionSpeech RecognitionWritten Comprehension

Education of workers

High school diploma

48%

Less than high school

27%

Some college

Post-doctoral training

Bachelor's degree

Associate's degree

Post-secondary certificate

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

45%

None / short demo

33%

1–3 months

14%

3–6 months

Related work experience

None

38%

3–6 months

24%

1–2 years

15%

Up to 1 month

13%

2–4 years

1–3 months

6–12 months

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★☆☆☆☆ Easy to enter (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as food servers, nonrestaurant

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Fast Food and Counter Workers Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages.	$31,200	57/100	30%
2	Waiters and Waitresses Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.	$35,230	50/100	18%
3	Cooks, Restaurant Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants.	$37,390	65/100	19%
4	First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in preparing and serving food.	$44,080	60/100	30%
5	Food Preparation Workers Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.	$35,320	42/100	30%
6	Bartenders Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.	$34,340	58/100	20%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.