Operations & Staffing
Server Job Description: Duties, Tips & Pay
A ready-to-post server job description with realistic responsibilities, cash wage vs. tip credit pay, and salary ranges. Edit any section to match your restaurant, then copy the whole thing to paste into Indeed, Poached, or your scheduling tool.
Click any section to edit. Pre-filled with a realistic example.
We're looking for an experienced and personable Server to join our front-of-house team at The Golden Fork. You'll be the face of our restaurant — greeting guests, guiding them through the menu, and ensuring every table has an exceptional dining experience from first sip to final check. This is a part-time to full-time position with flexible scheduling, competitive hourly pay plus tips, and room for growth into a lead server or FOH management role.
- Greet and seat guests warmly within 60 seconds of arrival - Present menus, explain daily specials, and make food and beverage recommendations - Take accurate food and drink orders using our POS system (Toast) - Communicate dietary restrictions, allergies, and special requests clearly to kitchen staff - Deliver food and beverages promptly, checking back within 2 minutes of delivery - Monitor tables throughout the meal — refill drinks, clear plates, anticipate needs - Process payments accurately via cash, credit card, or mobile pay - Maintain clean and organized server stations, dining areas, and side-work duties - Follow all food safety and sanitation standards (ServSafe guidelines) - Collaborate with bussers, bartenders, and kitchen staff to ensure smooth service - Upsell appetizers, desserts, and featured drinks to increase average check size - Handle guest complaints professionally and escalate issues to management when needed
- 1+ year of serving experience in a full-service restaurant - Ability to carry trays weighing up to 25 lbs and stand for 6-8 hour shifts - Working knowledge of POS systems (Toast, Square, Aloha, or similar) - Food Handler's Card or willingness to obtain within 30 days of hire - Strong multitasking skills — manage 4-6 tables simultaneously during peak hours - Excellent communication and a genuinely friendly, guest-first attitude - Basic menu knowledge including wine, beer, and cocktail categories - Must be 18+ (21+ for serving alcohol in some states) - Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays
- 2+ years of fine dining or high-volume serving experience - Wine knowledge or sommelier certification (WSET, Court of Master Sommeliers) - Bilingual (English/Spanish preferred in our market) - Experience with reservation systems (OpenTable, Resy) - ServSafe Food Handler or Food Manager certification - Previous experience training new servers
- Part-time: 20-30 hours/week | Full-time: 35-45 hours/week - Shifts available: Lunch (10:30 AM - 3:30 PM), Dinner (4:00 PM - 10:30 PM), Weekends (10:00 AM - 11:00 PM) - Rotating schedule posted weekly, every Thursday for the following week - Shift swaps allowed with manager approval via 7shifts - Closed on Mondays — guaranteed day off
- Cash wage before tips: $12.00 - $16.00/hour, based on experience (we do not take a tip credit — this is paid on top of everything you earn in tips) - Average tips: $150 - $300/shift (servers typically earn $45,000 - $65,000/year all-in, wage plus tips) - Free shift meal every shift worked - 50% dining discount for you + 1 guest on days off - Health insurance eligibility for full-time employees (30+ hours/week) - Paid time off after 1 year of full-time employment - Opportunities for advancement to Lead Server, Trainer, or FOH Manager
Submit your resume and a brief note about your serving experience to hiring@thegoldenfork.com. Walk-ins welcome Tuesday through Saturday, 2:00 - 4:00 PM — ask for the FOH Manager.
What Does a Restaurant Server Do?
A restaurant server is the primary point of contact between guests and the kitchen. Beyond taking orders, great servers read the table — they know when to recommend the high-margin special, when to let a couple enjoy their conversation, and when to drop the check without being asked. The role demands multitasking, physical stamina, and emotional intelligence in equal measure.
"The best servers don't just take orders — they manage a $1,500/night section like a small business."
Server Salary Breakdown by Restaurant Type
Server pay varies significantly by concept. Fine dining servers in major cities can earn more than some salaried managers. The cash wage column is the posted hourly rate before a single tip — in markets where no tip credit is taken. The total column is all-in for the year: wage plus tips. If you take a tip credit, your posted cash wage will be lower (as low as the $2.13/hr federal tipped minimum) while the total stays roughly the same.
| Type | Cash Wage (pre-tip) | Tips | Total/Year (wage + tips) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Dining | $14-$18 | $200-$400/shift | $55,000-$80,000+ |
| Casual Dining | $11-$15 | $100-$250/shift | $40,000-$60,000 |
| Fast Casual | $10-$14 | $50-$120/shift | $30,000-$45,000 |
| Hotel/Resort | $13-$17 | $150-$300/shift | $45,000-$65,000 |
| Catering/Banquet | $12-$16 | Auto-grat 18-20% | $38,000-$55,000 |
Ranges are RestOps estimates for full-time servers, drawn from job postings. For a national reference point, BLS puts the May 2025 median for waiters and waitresses at $16.94/hr ($35,230/yr), tips included; the BLS outlook (2025-35) is +2% with about 423,100 openings a year.
Server Role at a Glance
$35,230/yr
BLS Median (incl. tips)
5-8 hours
Typical Shift
4-6 active
Tables per Server
+2% by 2035
Job Growth
~423,100
Openings per Year
0-1 years
Min. Experience
Server Career Path
Serving isn't a dead end — it's the most common entry point to restaurant management. Here's the typical progression:
Server (Entry)
0-1 years
Lead Server / Trainer
1-2 years
Head Server / Captain
2-4 years
FOH Manager / AGM
3-6 years
Tips for Writing a Strong Server Job Post
Lead with pay transparency
Candidates skip listings that hide pay. Include hourly rate AND estimated tip earnings.
Be specific about shift times
"Evenings and weekends" is vague. "Dinner shifts: Thu-Sun, 4 PM - 10:30 PM" tells candidates exactly what to expect.
Mention your POS system
Experienced servers want to know if you use Toast, Square, Aloha, or Micros. It signals your tech level.
Highlight growth opportunities
Good servers leave when they see no way up. Mention lead server, trainer, or management tracks.
Skip the cliches
"Fast-paced environment" and "team player" appear in every listing. Describe YOUR restaurant's vibe instead.
Related Job Descriptions & Tools
Busser Job Description Template
Entry-level FOH role — often a server's first hire
Bartender Job Description Template
Bar-side service role with specialized drink knowledge
Food Runner Job Description
The FOH support role that keeps servers on the floor during the rush
Tip Distribution Calculator
Split the tip pool by hours or points and run server-to-support tip-outs
Employee Schedule Template
Build weekly server schedules with labor cost tracking
Restaurant Manager Job Description
The role servers grow into with experience
Prep Cook Job Description
A four-step builder for the back-of-house entry role
Restaurant Interview Questions
Questions to ask, and the ones the law says you cannot
Server Training Checklist
Five days from new hire to signed-off server
Barista Job Description
The coffee-bar role on the same team