SOC: 35-3022 OOH: U221
| Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers Quick Stats | |
| Total Jobs in 2016 | 5,122,600 |
| Expected Growth | 14% (Faster than average) |
| New Jobs To Be Added from 2016 to 2026 | 694,500 |
| Median Pay | Less than $25,000 |
- Job Outlook for Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers
- Pay for Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers
- What do Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers do all day
- The work environment
- How to become one
Short video describing:Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers
Employment Outlook for Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers
Overall employment of food and beverage serving and related workers is projected to grow 14 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth, however, will vary by occupation. (See table below for details.)
As a growing population continues to dine out, purchase take-out meals, or have food delivered, more restaurants, particularly fast-food and casual dining restaurants, are expected to open. In response, more food and beverage serving workers, including fast-food workers, will be required to serve customers.
In addition, nontraditional food service operations, such as those inside grocery stores and cafeterias in hospitals and residential care facilities, will serve more prepared meals. Because these workers are essential to the operation of a food-serving establishment, they will continue to be in demand.
Job Prospects
Job prospects for food and beverage serving and related workers will be excellent because many workers leave the occupation each year, resulting in a large number of job openings.
Workers with related work experience and excellent customer-service skills should have the best job prospects at higher paying restaurants. Still, those seeking positions at these establishments will face strong competition because the prospect of higher earnings attracts many applicants.
Typical Pay for Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers
The median hourly wage for food and beverage serving and related workers was $9.44 in May 2016. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.13, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $12.98.
Median hourly wages for food and beverage serving and related workers in May 2016 were as follows:
| Food servers, nonrestaurant | $10.21 |
| Food preparation and serving related workers, all other | 10.14 |
| Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers | 9.71 |
| Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop | 9.60 |
| Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop | 9.60 |
| Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food | 9.35 |
In May 2016, the median hourly wages for food and beverage serving and related workers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Educational services; state, local, and private | $10.68 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 10.52 |
| Retail trade | 10.26 |
| Special food services | 10.01 |
| Restaurants and other eating places | 9.30 |
Although some workers in these occupations earn tips, most get their earnings from hourly wages alone. Many beginning or inexperienced workers earn the federal minimum wage ($7.25 per hour as of July 24, 2009), although many states set minimum wages higher than the federal minimum.
Tipped employees earn at least the federal minimum wage ($7.25 per hour, as of July 24, 2009), which may be paid as a combination of direct wages and tips, depending on the state. Direct wages may be as low as $2.13 per hour, according to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Also according to the FLSA, tipped employees are employees who regularly receive more than $30 a month in tips. The Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor maintains a website listing minimum wages for tipped employees, by state, although some localities have enacted minimum wages higher than their state requires.
In some restaurants, workers may contribute all or a portion of their tips to a tip pool, which is distributed among qualifying workers. Tip pools allow workers who do not usually receive tips directly from customers, such as dining room attendants, to be part of a team and to share in the rewards for good service.
Employers may provide meals and uniforms, but may deduct the costs from the worker’s wages.
Many food and beverage serving and related workers were employed part time in 2016. For example, about half of combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food, the largest occupation in this profile, worked part time in 2016. Because of dining hours in food service and drinking establishments, early morning, late evening, weekend, and holidays work is common. Those who work in school cafeterias have more regular hours and may work only during the school year, usually 9 to 10 months.
In addition, business hours in restaurants allow for flexible schedules that appeal to many teenagers, who can gain work experience. Compared with all other occupations, a much larger proportion of food and beverage serving and related workers were 16 to 19 years old in 2016.
What Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers Do All Day
Food and beverage serving and related workers perform a variety of customer service, food preparation, and cleaning duties in restaurants, cafeterias, and other eating and drinking establishments.
Duties
Food and beverage serving and related workers typically do the following:
- Greet customers and answer their questions about menu items and specials
- Take food or drink orders from customers
- Relay customers’ orders to other kitchen staff
- Prepare food and drink orders, such as sandwiches, salads, and coffee
- Accept payments and balance receipts
- Serve food and drinks to customers at a counter, at a stand, or in a hotel room
- Clean assigned work areas, dining tables, or serving counters
- Replenish and stock service stations, cabinets, and tables
- Set tables or prepare food trays for new customers
Food and beverage serving and related workers are the front line of customer service in restaurants, cafeterias, and other food service establishments. Depending on the establishment, they take customers’ food and drink orders and serve food and beverages.
Most work as part of a team, helping coworkers to improve workflow and customer service. The job titles of food and beverage serving and related workers vary with where they work and what they do.
The following are examples of types of food and beverage serving and related workers:
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food, are employed primarily by fast-food and fast-casual restaurants. They take food and beverage orders, prepare or retrieve items when ready, fill cups with beverages, and accept customers’ payments. They also heat food items and make salads and sandwiches.
Counter attendants take orders and serve food over a counter in snack bars, cafeterias, movie theaters, and coffee shops. They fill cups with coffee, soda, and other beverages, and may prepare fountain specialties, such as milkshakes and ice cream sundaes. Counter attendants take carryout orders from diners and wrap or place items in containers. They clean counters, prepare itemized bills, and accept customers’ payments.
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers—sometimes collectively referred to as bus staff—help waiters, waitresses, and bartenders by cleaning and setting tables, removing dirty dishes, and keeping serving areas stocked with supplies. They also may help waiters and waitresses by bringing meals out of the kitchen, distributing dishes to diners, filling water glasses, and delivering condiments. Cafeteria attendants stock serving tables with food trays, dishes, and silverware. They sometimes carry trays to dining tables for customers. Bartender helpers keep bar equipment clean and glasses washed.
Food servers, nonrestaurant, serve food to customers outside of a restaurant environment. Many deliver room service meals in hotels or meals to hospital rooms. Some act as carhops, bringing orders to customers in parked cars.
Hosts and hostesses greet customers and manage reservations and waiting lists. They may direct customers to coatrooms, restrooms, or a waiting area until their table is ready. Hosts and hostesses provide menus after seating guests.
Work Environment for Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers
Food and beverage serving and related workers held about 5.1 million jobs in 2016. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up food and beverage serving and related workers was distributed as follows:
| Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food | 3,452,200 |
| Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop | 505,200 |
| Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers | 431,200 |
| Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop | 409,200 |
| Food servers, nonrestaurant | 263,800 |
| Food preparation and serving related workers, all other | 60,900 |
The largest employers of food and beverage serving and related workers were as follows:
| Restaurants and other eating places | 74% |
| Retail trade | 5 |
| Special food services | 5 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 4 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 4 |
Food and beverage serving and related workers spend most of the time on their feet and often carry heavy trays of food, dishes, and glassware. During busy dining periods, they are under pressure to serve customers quickly and efficiently.
Injuries and Illnesses
Food preparation and serving areas in restaurants often have potential safety hazards, such as hot ovens and slippery floors. As a result, counter attendants, food servers, dining room and cafeteria attendants, and bartender helpers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Common hazards include slips, cuts, and burns, but the injuries are seldom serious. To reduce these risks, workers often wear gloves, aprons, or nonslip shoes.
Work Schedules
Many food and beverage serving and related workers were employed part time in 2016. For example, about half of combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food, the largest occupation in this profile, worked part time in 2016. Because food service and drinking establishments typically have extended dining hours, early morning, late evening, weekend, and holidays work is common. Those who work in school cafeterias have more regular hours and may work only during the school year, usually 9 to 10 months.
In addition, business hours in restaurants allow for flexible schedules that appeal to many teenagers, who can gain work experience. Compared with all other occupations, a much larger proportion of food and beverage serving and related workers were 16 to 19 years old in 2016.
How To Become a Food and Beverage Serving or Related Worker
Most food and beverage service workers receive short-term on-the-job training. There are no formal educational requirements.
Most states require workers, such as nonrestaurant servers, who serve alcoholic beverages to be 18 years of age or older.
Education
There are no formal education requirements for becoming a food and beverage serving worker.
Training
Most workers learn through on-the-job training, usually lasting several weeks. Training includes basic customer service, kitchen safety, safe food-handling procedures, and good sanitation habits.
Some employers, particularly those in fast-food restaurants, teach new workers with the use of self-study programs, online programs, audiovisual presentations, or instructional booklets that explain food preparation and service procedures. However, most food and beverage serving and related workers learn duties by watching and working with more experienced workers.
Some full-service restaurants provide new dining room employees with classroom training sessions that alternate with periods of on-the-job work experience. The training communicates the operating philosophy of the restaurant, helps new employees establish a personal rapport with other staff, teaches employees formal serving techniques, and instills a desire in the staff to work as a team.
Some nonrestaurant servers and bartender helpers who work in establishments where alcohol is served may need training on state and local laws concerning the sale of alcoholic beverages. Some states, counties, and cities mandate such training, which typically lasts a few hours and can be taken online or in-person.
Advancement
Advancement opportunities are limited to those who remain on the job for a long time. However, some dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers may advance to waiter, waitress, or bartender positions as they learn the basics of serving food or preparing drinks.
Important Qualities
Communication skills. Food and beverage serving and related workers must listen carefully to their customers’ orders and relay them correctly to the kitchen staff so that the orders are prepared to the customers’ request.
Customer-service skills. Food service establishments rely on good food and customer service to keep customers and succeed in a competitive industry. As a result, workers should be courteous and be able to attend to customers’ requests.
Physical stamina. Food and beverage serving and related workers spend most of their work time standing, carrying heavy trays, cleaning work areas, and attending to customers’ needs.
Physical strength. Food and beverage serving and related workers need to be able to lift and carry stock and equipment that can weigh up to 50 pounds.
"Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers" SOC:35-3022 OOH Code: U221
Thank you BLS.gov.
FAQs
What is the job outlook and what are the future trends? ›
Total employment is projected to grow by 8.3 million jobs from 2021-31. Nearly one-third of new jobs are projected to be in healthcare and social assistance. Pandemic recovery is a key driver of projected job growth in some sectors. The Occupational Outlook Handbook features the 2021-31...
What is serving in food and beverage? ›Food and beverage serving and related workers are the front line of customer service in restaurants, cafeterias, and other food service establishments. Depending on the establishment, they take customers food and drink orders and serve food and beverages.
What are on one of the benefits of using the Occupational Outlook Handbook? ›The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) provides information on what workers do; the work environment; education, training, and other qualifications; pay; the job outlook; information on state and area data; similar occupations; and sources of additional information for more than 300 occupational profiles covering ...
What is included in the food and beverage industry? ›What is included in the food and beverage industry? The food and beverage market consists of fresh, prepared, or packaged food as well as alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. It also includes manufacturing, packaging, and distribution to meet consumer demand.
What is a job outlook example? ›Examples of job outlooks
Management analysts: Projected to grow by 11% between now and 2029, or much faster than average. Construction managers: Projected to grow by 8% between now and 2029, or much faster than average. Retail salespersons: Projected to grow by -1% between now and 2029, or much lower than average.
Job Outlook FAQ
The average job outlook is between 4-7%. A good job outlook would be anything with a rate greater than 8%.
Food and beverage services sector contributes a great deal to the profits in hospitality industry. With the increase in importance of business meetings, a range of personal and social events, a large number of customers visit catering establishments frequently.
What is food and beverage service answer? ›Food and Beverage Services can be broadly defined as the process of preparing, presenting and serving of food and beverages to the customers. F&B Services can be of the following two types − On Premise − Food is delivered where it is prepared. The customer visits the premise to avail the food service.
Why food serving is important? ›Proper food serving procedures are essential in ensuring home food safety. The time from the end of cooking until you and your family eat a meal is very important. A foodborne illness incident may occur if you do not handle and serve cooked foods properly.
What are the three 3 most important benefits an employer can give to an employee and why? ›Most of these probably don't come as a surprise. After all, there are baseline employee benefits that most industry experts say are needed to attract talent competitively: healthcare, paid time off, and possibly a retirement savings option.
What is an occupational outlook meaning? ›
Job outlook: a statement that conveys the projected rate of growth or decline in employment in an occupation over the next 10 years; also compares the projected growth rate with that projected for all other occupations; see Growth rate.
What are the benefits from the point of view of an employee to be employed as an at will employee? ›The possibility of career advancement and the freedom and flexibility to leave a position without reason or notice are the two primary benefits of employment-at-will. To take full advantage of these benefits, it's important to be open to outside opportunities that come your way.
What are the skills in food and beverage services? ›- A secondary school diploma is preferred.
- Excellent communication skills required.
- Professional appearance and attitude.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Cash handling experience is an asset.
- Time management skills.
- Knowledge of health and safety regulations is required.
Dishwashers, kitchen helpers, line cooks, sous-chefs, chefs, pastry chefs, executive chefs, bakers and butchers.
What skills are needed in the food and beverage industry? ›- Food preparation.
- Waiting tables.
- Food knowledge.
- Point of sales system.
- Reservation system.
- Operating kitchen equipment.
- Sanitizing procedures.
- Bartending.
Microsoft Outlook is the preferred email client used to send and receive emails by accessing Microsoft Exchange Server email. Outlook also provides access contact, email calendar and task management features.
What are some career outlook questions? ›- What interests me? ...
- What are my current skills? ...
- What kind of personality do I have? ...
- What education or training do I need to fulfill my career goals? ...
- What is the job outlook for this career? ...
- What's my ideal work-life balance? ...
- How happy am I with my current career?
a person's general attitude or way of thinking about something: He has a positive outlook on life.
What means positive outlook? ›adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE] If you are positive about things, you are hopeful and confident, and think of the good aspects of a situation rather than the bad ones.
What is the important key to success in F&B industry? ›Visibility And Marketing
Marketing and visibility of the product/service and making it a brand is important in order to get the numbers you require to make the revenue needed for the sustenance of the business and profitability.
How do you answer food and beverage interview questions? ›
Best way to answer
Drawing from personal experience, talk about the aspects of F&B you find stimulating, e.g. the social interactions, the products or service, rewards vs challenges, etc. Make it personal and specific – this shows passion and authenticity.
TIP #1 –Customer service is at the heart of every food and beverage job role. Therefore, in preparation for your interview, make sure you have previous examples r eady of when you have not only delivered excellent customer service, but also where you have gone above and beyond what was required.
Why do you choose F&B answer? ›Why did you choose the food and beverage service? Example Answer: Because F&B is a dynamic industry covering a wide range of job roles. From baristas to head waiters, bartender etc.it is a career with many opportunities for development. Plus, there's a sure chance to meet and interact with different nation people.
What is the most important in food service? ›Layout, design, and service are all important factors in any foodservice operation, whether it is a restaurant or hospital. However, what is the glue that holds all of these factors together? The menu!
What are the most important duties of food service? ›- Follow established recipes to prepare menu items.
- Serve customers in a fast, efficient and friendly manner.
- Follow guidelines to ensure correct serving temperatures and adequate portion control.
- Provide customers with information regarding food ingredients, availability and pricing.
- Provide excellent customer services.
- Greet customers and present menus.
- Make suggestions based on their preferences.
- Take and serve food/drinks orders.
- Up-sell when appropriate.
- Arrange table settings.
- Keep tables clean and tidy at all times.
- Deliver checks and collect payments.
- A significant increase in income or benefits (64% said "very important") ...
- Greater work-life balance and better personal wellbeing (61%) ...
- The ability to do what they do best (58%)
Sixty-four percent of workers rated an increase in income or benefits as “very important” when vetting a company. Employees want to do good work and get paid fairly for it. As employees acquire more skills and hit additional milestones, rewarding them with higher pay shows that you appreciate and value their work.
What is most important to employees? ›Work/life balance is one of the most important concerns for employees, and that manifests in several ways, including the desire for flexible hours, paid time off and remote work.
What is outlook of a company? ›Definition. Business Outlook Surveys are qualitative surveys to track the current economic situation and to forecast short-term trends. Business Outlook Surveys are conducted among company chiefs or among households.
Does outlook mean future? ›
The word outlook describes a belief about the future. Your outlook on the awful present situation might make your outlook for the future turn grim. The noun outlook can also mean the practice of looking out.
What is the importance of this benefits to the worker? ›A good benefits package can make employees feel rewarded and appreciated for their work. Benefits also provide support to an employee's family, health, and financial future which can help attract and retain top talent.
What are the main benefits and services provided to the employees? ›Benefits are any perks offered to employees in addition to salary. The most common benefits are medical, disability, and life insurance; retirement benefits; paid time off; and fringe benefits. Benefits can be quite valuable.
What are the important benefits when you are able to hire the right people in your company and what qualities of people you need to hire for this business? ›Fosters Business Growth
Nothing lays the groundwork for the future quite like hiring well now. Getting the right employees on board ensures they grow with you, contributing to your overall success as a business and reducing the need to hire again and again for each new leadership position you may develop down the line.
The hospitality and food service industry has a longstanding tradition of quality of service and dedication to putting customer needs first. Though extremely diverse, the industry has an expectation of workers to be professional, productive, respectful, and responsive to customer needs.
What skills would you need to be a successful food service worker? ›- Knowledge of supplies, equipment, and/or services ordering and inventory control.
- Ability to follow routine verbal and written instructions.
- Ability to read and write.
- Ability to understand and follow safety procedures.
- Ability to safely use cleaning equipment and supplies.
They take food and beverage orders, prepare or retrieve items when ready, fill cups with beverages, and accept customers' payments. They also heat food items and make salads and sandwiches. Counter attendants take orders and serve food over a counter in snack bars, cafeterias, movie theaters, and coffee shops.
How can I be successful in food and beverage service operations? ›- Design a Nice Kitchen. ...
- Focus on the Food & Ambiance. ...
- Train Your Staff. ...
- Keep Your Restaurant Clean. ...
- Reviews Matter. ...
- Conclusion.
| S No | F&B Industry Challenges |
|---|---|
| 1. | Enforcement of Plastic Ban |
| 2. | Stringent Regulatory Landscape |
| 3. | The Pervasive Presence of e-Commerce |
| 4. | Rise of Veganism |
Absolutely, the food and beverage sector is one of the best career options in 2022.
What qualifications do you need to work in the food industry? ›
...
You must however be able to demonstrate that they have received instructions or supervision in the following ways:
- training on-the-job.
- self-study.
- relevant prior experience.
- Look for happy. Enthusiasm makes our list as the first thing you should look for in a new employee because this trait really supports so many other things. ...
- Team players. Another must for any new hire. ...
- Commitment to safety and hygiene. ...
- Attention to detail. ...
- Multitask masters. ...
- Leadership.
- Excellent customer service, including patience and a friendly demeanor.
- Exceptional organization and time management.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Great active listening skills.
- Ability and willingness to collaborate.
Total employment in the U.S. economy is projected to grow by 15.6 million during the 2012–2022 decade to reach 161 million; this represents a 10.8-percent employment increase.
What are trends in a job? ›Career trends represent the changes in job markets regarding certain skills. These changes can create new career opportunities or make certain markets dry up altogether.
What are the 5 Trends Shaping the Future of Work? ›The millennials, technologies, globalization, mobility, new attitudes… The employment scene is changing at an ever faster rate and it is vital to know and understand these changes.
What jobs are new and trends for? ›- AI and Machine learning job demand estimated to grow: ...
- Chatbots to empower customer support services. ...
- Growth of FinTech in 2022. ...
- Continued spike in IT talent demand. ...
- Big Data Analytics roles to witness huge demand. ...
- Skilled manpower to be the future of the workforce.
| OCCUPATION | GROWTH RATE, 2021-31 | 2021 MEDIAN PAY |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse practitioners | 46% | $120,680 per year |
| Wind turbine service technicians | 44% | $56,260 per year |
| Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers | 41% | $24,440 per year |
| Motion picture projectionists | 40% | $29,350 per year |
An increased sense of shared values and culture is taking shape, with a heightened focus on building trust and cohesion within teams, especially where employees interact remotely. Three quarters of employees surveyed by Manpower want to feel motivated and passionate about the work they do.
What candidates are looking for in a company 2022? ›- 65% of candidates want remote work options even after the pandemic, while 31% want hybrid work options.
- Additionally, 76% of employees see flex work as a top reason for staying with their current employer.
What is the best job nowadays? ›
- Information Security Analyst.
- Nurse Practitioner.
- Physician Assistant.
- Medical and Health Services Manager.
- Software Developer.
- Data Scientist.
- Financial Manager.
In 2023, less job hopping and fewer counteroffers are likely as the demand for talent and the supply of candidates evens out. Salary rises will be less common, too. Many employers have already increased wages over the past 12 months – a shortfall of talent left them with little choice.
What skills are new to the job market? ›- Writing. “Sure,” you're thinking. ...
- Healthcare. ...
- Construction and maintenance. ...
- Creativity and creative technology. ...
- Communication. ...
- “Soft' skills. ...
- Tech skills like IT, web development, and coding. ...
- Familiarity with industry-specific software.
- Continuation of the Great Resignation. ...
- Remote and Hybrid Work. ...
- Prioritization of Employee Well-Being. ...
- Talent Shortages and Reskilling Within Organizations. ...
- A Focus on Skills Over Jobs. ...
- Emphasis on Soft Skills. ...
- Increased Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Efforts. ...
- Greater Use of AI and Automation.
The biggest drivers of workplace trends include advances in technology, social changes, and current events. On a macro level, factors like globalization, a shift to remote work, and an increase in education drive large-scale trends.
What factors will have an impact on the work in the future? ›To understand the future of work, we believe it is essential to explore four major factors that will impact on the future of work: (1) Technological progress, IT platforms, the sharing and knowledge economy; (2) Demographic, social and environmental changes; (3) Globalisation and glocalisation; and (4) Labour ...
Is IT important to have a job in the future why? ›A job may be important for a sense of purpose since it can provide goals to work toward each day and an income to support you financially. It can help you build skills and experience that will last throughout your career, even if you change careers later in life.
What is the best way to prepare for employment in the future? ›- Research Growth Trends. ...
- Find Potential Employers. ...
- Talk to Other Professionals. ...
- Learn. ...
- Consider Volunteering, Interning, or Part-Time Work. ...
- Professional Development. ...
- Evaluate Your Personal Brand.
In the future, the most high-value work will be cognitive in nature. Employees will have to apply creativity, critical thinking and constant digital upskilling to solve complex problems. The digital economy demands new ideas, information and business models that continually expand, combine and shift into new ventures.