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Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division
SOC: 35-3031 Waiters and Waitresses
Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment. Exclude "Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop" (35-3022).
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Education: Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.
OJT: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.
Tasks: Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals and take action to correct any problems. Collect payments from customers. Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff. Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes. Take orders from patrons for food or beverages. Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages. Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required. Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request. Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining. Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine. Roll silverware, set up food stations or set up dining areas to prepare for the next shift or for large parties. Inform customers of daily specials. Stock service areas with supplies such as coffee, food, tableware, and linens. Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods. Prepare tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware. Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters, take them to kitchen for cleaning. Assist host or hostess by answering phones to take reservations or to-go orders, and by greeting, seating, and thanking guests. Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, tidying up server station, taking out trash, or checking and cleaning bathroom. Bring wine selections to tables with appropriate glasses, and pour the wines for customers. Perform food preparation duties such as preparing salads, appetizers, and cold dishes, portioning desserts, and brewing coffee. Escort customers to their tables. Garnish and decorate dishes in preparation for serving. Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers. Describe and recommend wines to customers.
License: License not required.
Outlook: Satisfactory
Alabama Employment Outlook
Alabama Wage Data
Hourly Wage   Annual Wage
Entry $8.63   Entry $17,950.00
Mean $10.05   Mean $20,914.00
Experience $10.77 Experience $22,396.00

The data is based on the May 2017 Occupation Employment Survey employment and wage estimate file. The wages have been aged using the most current ECI factors reflecting wages as of June 2018.

Alabama Projections
Estimated Employment 2016Projected Employment 2026Annual Average OpeningsAnnual Growth Rate
32,54035,2206,615.79
Related Occupations: Postsecondary Institutions With Programs:
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
Cashiers
Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
Counter and Rental Clerks
Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Funeral Attendants
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
Stock Clerks, Sales Floor
Transportation Attendants, Except Flight Attendants
No postsecondary schools reported programs.
Occupational Videos
35-3031.00 Waiters and Waitresses