We surveyed 72,770 food servers to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical food server. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as a food server?
Low
High
Working as a food server typically doesn’t require the use of high levels of intelligence in daily tasks.
Can I learn to become a food server?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as a food server typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.
Is it easy to get a job as a food server?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically not very difficult to find a job as a food server. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for food servers.
Do food servers work full-time or part-time?
33% of food servers work in full-time roles while 67% work part-time.
Is being a food server stressful?
Low
High
Stress is very commonplace for food servers, contributing negatively towards career satisfaction.
Is being organized important as a food server?
Low
High
Some level of organization is generally required to be a food server.
How competitive is the workplace for food servers?
Low
High
Competition at work is not common for food servers.
Does being a food server require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
Food servers will see frequent time pressure on the job, likely contributing to an occasionally stressful work environment.
Are food servers allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
Food servers rarely get a chance to express themselves creatively.
Do food servers have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
Food servers tend to have a set and inflexible work schedule that they are unable to deviate from too much.
Is being a food server physically demanding?
Low
High
Being a food server requires significant physical work, and is not a career for those unable to perform continuous and/or strenuous physical activity.
Are food servers exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
While sometimes repetitive, food servers tend to have opportunities for variety in their work.
Does being a food server require attention to detail?
Low
High
Attention to detail isn't necessarily required to be successful as a food server.
Does being a good food server require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
Being compassionate and empathetic is considered helpful to those looking to pursue careers as food servers.