Food Preparation & Serving
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Also called: Food Server, Food Service Worker, Kitchen Runner, Room Server
US median pay
$35,360
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+4.5%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
48,800
296,300 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Serve food to individuals outside of a restaurant environment, such as in hotel rooms, hospital rooms, residential care facilities, or cars.
What they do day to day
- Place food servings on plates or trays according to orders or instructions.
- Clean or sterilize dishes, kitchen utensils, equipment, or facilities.
- Monitor food distribution, ensuring that meals are delivered to the correct recipients and that guidelines, such as those for special diets, are followed.
- Examine trays to ensure that they contain required items.
- Load trays with accessories, such as eating utensils, napkins, or condiments.
- Take food orders and relay orders to kitchens or serving counters so they can be filled.
- Monitor food preparation or serving techniques to ensure that proper procedures are followed.
- Remove trays and stack dishes for return to kitchen after meals are finished.
- Carry food, silverware, or linen on trays or use carts to carry trays.
- Record amounts and types of special food items served to customers.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Service Orientation3.0/5
- Time Management2.9/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.9/5
- Coordination2.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.8/5
- Management of Personnel Resources2.2/5
- Quality Control Analysis2.1/5
- Persuasion2.1/5
Knowledge
- English Language3.6/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.6/5
- Food Production3.0/5
- Administration and Management3.0/5
- Education and Training2.9/5
- Public Safety and Security2.9/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma48%
- Less than high school27%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.