Food Servers
O*NET title: Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Serve food to individuals outside of a restaurant environment, such as in hotel rooms, hospital rooms, residential care facilities, or cars.
Also called: Boat Hop, Car Attendant, Car Hop, Curb Attendant, Curb Hop, Curber
Median pay
$35,360
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$28,030 – $46,120
People employed
293,900
Holland code
RSC
Realistic · Social · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 2.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 3.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 4.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
Food Servers pay by state
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What food servers do
- 01Place food servings on plates or trays according to orders or instructions.
- 02Clean or sterilize dishes, kitchen utensils, equipment, or facilities.
- 03Monitor food distribution, ensuring that meals are delivered to the correct recipients and that guidelines, such as those for special diets, are followed.
- 04Examine trays to ensure that they contain required items.
- 05Load trays with accessories, such as eating utensils, napkins, or condiments.
- 06Take food orders and relay orders to kitchens or serving counters so they can be filled.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Writing
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Food Production
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cooperation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from food servers
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers89% · −4%
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria86% · +6%
- Food Preparation Workers85% · 0%
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners83% · 0%
- Cooks, Short Order80% · +1%
Change into food servers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers89% · $33,980
- Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants86% · $36,300
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop84% · $31,200
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria83% · $37,450
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners83% · $35,510