Waiters and waitresses

£17,729

Average salary

Average annual salary UK 2020 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

38 hours

Average weekly hours

Average weekly hours UK 2019 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

9.89%

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate UK 2020 | Labour Force Survey

Definition: Waiters and waitresses

*SOC Code (Standard Occupational Classification): 9273

Waiters and waitresses serve food and beverages in hotels, clubs, restaurants and other establishments.

Common tasks include:

sets tables with clean linen, cutlery, crockery and glassware;
presents menus and wine lists to patrons and may describe dishes and advise on selection of food or wines;
takes down orders for food and/or drinks and passes order to kitchen and/or bar;
serves food and drinks;
presents bill and accepts payment at end of the meal.

Qualifications

There are no formal academic entry requirements, though some employers may require GCSEs/S grades. Training is typically provided on-the-job. NVQs/SVQs in relevant areas are available at Levels 1 and 2.

*Introduced in 1990, SOC is a multi-purpose common classification of occupations in UK. Jobs are defined in terms of skill level and skill content, including qualifications, training and work experience.

Employment status: Waiters and waitresses

Regional employment: Waiters and waitresses

Future employment: Waiters and waitresses

Top 12 industries: Waiters and waitresses

Alternative & related job titles: Waiters and waitresses

Hostess, party (fast food outlet) Maid, tea Hostess (fast food outlet) Steward, ship (catering) Steward, car, dining Waiter, restaurant Waitress, service, silver Organiser, party (fast food outlet) Assistant, service, room (hotel) Steward, wine Busser Runner (public house) Runner, shift (fast food outlet) Seater (catering) Steward, mess Hostess (public house, restaurant) Steward, catering Attendant, car, dining Attendant, service, room (hotel) Steward, messroom Waiter, head Waiter, service, silver Maitre d'hotel Steward (university: catering) Waiter, ward Assistant, conference and banqueting Steward (canteen) Steward, canteen Worker, factory, fun Waitress, ward Steward (MOD) Waiter Sommelier Steward, chief Waitress Chef de rang Butler, wine Runner (catering) Waitress, head Attendant, car, restaurant Runner (restaurant) Boy, saloon Steward (shipping: catering) Waiter, wine Attendant, room, ward Steward (railways) Steward

Equality focus: Waiters and waitresses

Breaking down the official government big data sources by gender, age and region. Hours and pay data based on full time equlivalent roles.