Wait Staff Jobs in California

Wait Staff, also known as servers, are integral to the Hospitality Service industry as they are primarily responsible for serving food and beverages to customers, taking orders, and providing excellent customer service in restaurants, cafes, and other food-service establishments. Their tasks include handling cash transactions, cleaning tables, answering customer inquiries about the menu, and ensuring that the food service area is clean and well-stocked. They are the face of the establishment, as they directly interact with customers, making them crucial in maintaining the restaurant's reputation and overall guest experience.

Essential skills for Wait Staff include strong communication, ability to work under pressure, customer service skills, physical stamina, and multitasking. They must also have a good memory to remember orders and the layout of the tables. No specific certifications are generally needed, but having a Food Handler's Card or ServSafe certification can be beneficial, while some upscale restaurants might require formal training or a degree in hospitality or a related field. Before becoming a Wait Staffer, a person may have roles such as Host or Hostess, Busser, or Food Runner. These positions allow individuals to gain experience in the food service environment and customer service, preparing them for a server position.

1-15 of 3,141 Jobs

Food Runner

  • Newport Beach, CA
  • 1 day ago
  • Newport Beach, CA
  • 1 day ago

Additional Information Pay: $19.30/hour Job Number 25064883 Job Category Food and Beverage & Culinary Location Lido House Autograph Collection, 3300 Newport Boulevard, Newport Beach, California,...

Seasonal Food Runner

  • Newport Beach, CA
  • 1 day ago
  • Newport Beach, CA
  • 1 day ago

Additional Information Seasonal, Pay: $19.30/hour Job Number 25064886 Job Category Food and Beverage & Culinary Location Lido House Autograph Collection, 3300 Newport Boulevard, Newport Beach,...

Barista

  • Buellton, CA
  • 15 days ago
  • Buellton, CA
  • 15 days ago

Join us and inspire with every cup! At Starbucks, its all about connection. People are at the heart of who we are, especially the people that are a part of our store team. We connect with each...

barista - Store# 22437, HWY 246 & MCMURRAY, BUELLTON

  • Buellton, CA
  • 60+ days ago
  • Buellton, CA
  • 60+ days ago

Join us and inspire with every cup! At Starbucks, its all about connection. People are at the heart of who we are, especially the people that are a part of our store team. We connect with each...

barista - Store# 55101, MAIN ST & SIERRA PARK

  • Mammoth Lakes, CA
  • 45+ days ago
  • Mammoth Lakes, CA
  • 45+ days ago

Join us and inspire with every cup! At Starbucks, its all about connection. People are at the heart of who we are, especially the people that are a part of our store team. We connect with each...

Food Service Cashier

  • Vallejo, CA
  • 13 days ago
  • Vallejo, CA
  • 13 days ago

Job Duties: Take guests orders, offering suggestions and upsells about the most delicious menu items Feed hungry guests promptly and satisfy growling stomachs with fresh, made-to-order foods...

Cashier

  • Lathrop, CA
  • moments ago
  • Lathrop, CA
  • moments ago

Company Description Pay Rates Starting between: $20.00 - $23.78 / hour Are you passionate about team building, customer service, and meeting new people? Pilot Company offers a dynamic environment...

CityWalk Food Server

  • Hollywood, CA
  • 2 hours ago
  • Hollywood, CA
  • 2 hours ago

Working with us means experiencing three blocks of music, shopping, and diverse restaurants and cuisine. Were all about entertaining and feeding our guests, many of whom are locals enjoying a...

Front of House/Cashier/Server

  • Ontario, CA
  • 3 hours ago
  • Ontario, CA
  • 3 hours ago

Were looking for detail-oriented individuals with strong customer service skills to join our Front of House team. Job Responsibilities: Taking customer orders accurately and efficiently Packing...

Server at Mexican Restaurant

  • Lomita, CA
  • 3 hours ago
  • Lomita, CA
  • 3 hours ago

Server Part-Time (Evenings: Fri, Sat, Sun) Location: Alfredos Mexican Restaurant Lomita, CA Were looking for a friendly, dependable server to join our team at Alfredos, a well-established,...

Cashier/restaurant FOH

  • Inglewood, CA
  • 3 hours ago
  • Inglewood, CA
  • 3 hours ago

We are a small mom and pop restaurant Milagro Cafe is looking for dynamic, customer oriented candidate to help managing the front of the house of the restaurant. Open availability required,...

Cashier

  • Cerritos, CA
  • 4 hours ago
  • Cerritos, CA
  • 4 hours ago

In most jobs, everyone doesnt spontaneously erupt into applause and start raining down high-fives. At Buffalo Wild Wings, thats just a Thursday night. This is the place to start the next phase of...

Server

  • Santa Ynez, CA
  • 4 hours ago
  • Santa Ynez, CA
  • 4 hours ago

Overview The Server is responsible for taking guest orders and delivering exceptional guest service. Responsibilities Delivers exceptional guest service (i.e., prompt, friendly, professional, and...

ARLO Server

  • San Diego, CA
  • 4 hours ago
  • San Diego, CA
  • 4 hours ago

Communicate special requests or dietary restrictions to kitchen staff effectively. Ensure table settings are pristine and reset quickly between seatings....

Server, On-Call, Bar Sierra

  • Mammoth Lakes, CA
  • 4 hours ago
  • Mammoth Lakes, CA
  • 4 hours ago

Overview Outbound Mammoth looking for a dynamic Restaurant Server, You will be an integral member of the team that creates distinctively different and authentic experiences for our guests. You...

Demographic Data for California

Moving to California? Find some basic demographic data about California below.


Local
National
39,536,271
996,598

Wait Staff Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireHospitalityServices curates thousands of courses in order to recommend the best ones to help further your career. If you register for a course using the links on our site, we may receive a small commission.
Leading Well for Staff Health and Wellbeing in the NHS
The health and wellbeing of NHS staff is essential to the quality of care provided to patients, service users and communities. The Covid-19 pandemic placed unprecedented pressures on the health...
Prison Health: Vaccinations for People Working and Living in Prisons (Vaccine Trained Staff)
This two-week course will help you gain an understanding of why vaccines can help protect the health of those living or working in prisons and those around them. Whats more, youll develop the...
On Staff: Combat Staff Masterclass
From a multipurpose tool and a traveling companion to a weapon used to conquer lands and hunting to feed our people, sticks are the foundation to humanity and all that is us.It is a shame to live...

Salary for Wait Staff Jobs in California

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireHospitalityServices research efforts.

Licensing / Certification

Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Wait Staff positions.



Highest Education Level

Wait Staffs in California offer the following education background
High School or GED
41.6%
Bachelor's Degree
20.9%
Associate's Degree
13.0%
Vocational Degree or Certification
12.7%
Master's Degree
3.9%
Some College
3.8%
Some High School
3.2%
Doctorate Degree
0.9%

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Wait Staffs in California
Less than 1 year
34.0%
None
24.3%
1-2 years
24.0%
2-4 years
17.8%


Other Career Titles

Here are some other career titles that require similar skills



Wait Staff Related Career Advice Articles

Empty glasses hanging in a restaurant
Must-Read Job Search Advice for Restaurant Workers

Learn the ins and outs of how to get a job at a restaurant, including when to turn in your resume, how to present yourself, and how to land the job.

Read article »