waiter/waitress

What the work can involve

Waiting work is service during a meal or event. The waiter or waitress prepares tables, explains food and beverage options, takes orders, serves guests, checks the dining room and handles payments or reservations.

Skills and specializations

Useful depth includes menu knowledge, dietary regimes, alcoholic beverage products, table arrangement, dining-room cleanliness, food safety, customer service, special needs, reservation handling and guest feedback.

Salary context

Salary context depends on service setting, shift pattern, table section size, beverage knowledge, event work, payment responsibility, guest volume and whether the role includes VIP service or wine recommendations.

Career paths

Paths can move toward senior waiting staff, station responsibility, host or reservation work, beverage service, event service, shift supervision, restaurant coordination or hospitality training.

Good to know

Check whether adverts name restaurant, bar, hotel or event service, menu and beverage scope, hygiene duties, payment systems, reservation tools, table sections, special dietary requests and expected guest contact.

Editorial note

This guide is editorial career context. It is not official labour-market statistics or role-specific salary data.

Alternative labels

Occupation group

Waiters (5131)

Source facts