Are you interested in careers in the restaurant industry? Find out the salary of a restaurant server and get additional information to get started in this sector.
Restaurant server: how much do they earn?
The salary of a restaurant server varies depending on several factors:
- The establishment that employs them (local restaurant, fast food chain, Michelin-starred restaurant, etc.);
- The professional's experience (beginner or senior profile);
- Whether or not they receive tips;
- Any benefits and bonuses offered by the employer.
According to referenced data from INSEE, the Monthly net salary:
- For an unskilled server (561c) is €1,500: this amount is a national average established from the salaries of 155,900 employees. These employees are almost equally men (44.3%) and women (55.7%);
- For a skilled server (561b) is €1,700: this amount is a national average established from the salaries of 133,470 employees. These employees are 48.8% women and 51.2% men.
To this basic amount, you must add the hours worked beyond the legal 35-hour week. These give rise to salary increases:
- 10% increase between the 36th and 39th hour;
- 20% increase between the 40th and 42nd hour;
- 25% increase from the 43rd hour;
- 50% increase beyond the 44th hour.
Note: some employers may also decide to pay a sum of money in recognition of the employee's seniority.
What exactly does the job of a server involve?
The duties and activities of a restaurant server may vary from one structure to another, but generally speaking, the latter carries out the operations of Food service.
This includes setting up the dining room, welcoming customers, presenting the menu, taking orders, serving the table, handling payments, and cleaning up the dining room.
What is the typical profile of a server?
The server is the privileged intermediary between the dining room and the kitchen. Therefore, he must not only possess technical skills, but also good interpersonal skills.
The necessary skills
To successfully carry out his duties in the best possible conditions, the server must:
- Master service techniques (e.g., carry trays of food and drinks from the kitchen to the tables);
- Apply hygiene and food safety rules;
- Know how to use order-taking and payment technologies;
- Ensure the synchronization of operations between the kitchen and the dining room;
- Guarantee the quality of the service provided;
- React in real time to any incident or malfunction;
- Speak one or more foreign languages to work in a city tourist.
Required Qualities
In addition to the skills listed above, servers must:
- Possess excellent interpersonal skills (listening skills, empathy, diplomacy, etc.);
- Speak clearly and welcomingly to project a good image of the restaurant;
- Have in-depth knowledge of the products to be able to explain to customers the ingredients that make up the dish, the different wines, etc. ;
- Have an excellent memory to keep customer requests in mind;
- Be able to work under pressure, while knowing how to adapt to the changing priorities that a work environment generates;
- Have good physical stamina to be able to handle the numerous trips back and forth between the dining room and the kitchen;
- Demonstrate good organizational skills to optimize each action in the event of a busy schedule;
- Manage complaints and negative comments;
- Be able to work in a team and independently.
What training is required to become a restaurant server?
The job of server is accessible without specific training for seasonal employment or a student job. However, obtaining a degree is a considerable asset in obtaining a position in prestigious institutions. Note that several academic paths allow access to the profession:
- The CAP restaurant, cuisine, hotel services or versatile catering agent which last two years, and are prepared full-time or through work-study;
- The BAC Professionals cuisine or marketing and catering services which are accessible after the ninth grade and are completed in three years;
- The BEP catering and hotel professions which is part of a 2-year course;
- The professional title (TP) Catering Agent which is obtained by capitalizing on professional skills certificates (CCP).
What are the career development opportunities for a server?
Depending on their level Depending on their qualifications and their interests, the career development opportunities for a server are interesting. After a few years of experience, they can, for example, aspire to more responsibilities by becoming a head waiter, head waiter, or restaurant manager.
They can also progress horizontally to other types of positions: sommelier, bartender, etc. Finally, they have the opportunity to train in business creation and takeover to manage their own establishment.
