Food and beverage servers

Overview

Food and beverage servers take patrons' food and beverage orders and serve orders to patrons. They are employed in restaurants, hotels, bars, taverns, private clubs, banquet halls and similar establishments.

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Greet patrons, present menus, make recommendations and answer questions regarding food and beverages

  • Take orders and relay to kitchen and bar staff

  • Recommend wines that complement patrons' meals

  • Serve food and beverages

  • Prepare and serve specialty foods at patrons' tables

  • Present bill to patrons and accept payment

  • May order and maintain inventory of wines and wine glassware

  • May perform sensory evaluation of wines.

Job titles

  • assistant waiter/waitress - food and beverage services
  • banquet captain
  • banquet headwaiter/headwaitress
  • banquet server
  • banquet waiter/waitress
  • bar service waiter/waitress

Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2025 edition

Annual salary

Low

$21,683

Median

$24,295

High

$36,442

Usual Hours Worked Weekly: 23.3

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

British Columbia

1,922

expected job openings (5-year forecast)

Education and training

Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school may be required.

  • Formal waiters/waitresses may require completion of a one- or two-year apprenticeship program or College or vocational school courses.

  • On-the-job training is usually provided.

Certification requirements

Mandatory: You need the following certification to practice as Food and beverage servers in B.C.

  • Serving it Right - Food and Beverage Servers

Serving it Right - Food and Beverage Servers

To work as a food and beverage server in B.C., you'll need a Serving It Right certification to serve and sell alcohol. This certification is earned through the successful completion of the Serving It Right course.

Employment as a restaurant and service manager requires several years of related work experience.

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Post-secondary programs in B.C.

No post-secondary education required

No post-secondary education required. You can work in this career without post-secondary education. Some on the job training may be provided. With additional training or experience, you may be able to progress into higher level, supervisory or management positions.

Beneficial post-secondary programs (not required)

Food Continuing Education

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Employment Readiness Micro-credentials

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