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See all posts Frank GogolBest Paying Restaurant Jobs
Updated on February 26, 2024
The restaurant industry offers a variety of roles, each with its unique set of responsibilities and required skills. Here’s a look at some of the best-paying positions in this vibrant field.
Host/Hostess
- Average Salary: $43,000
- Job Description: Hosts or hostesses are the first point of contact for customers, responsible for welcoming guests, leading them to their tables, managing seating charts, and handling takeaway orders and payments.
- Responsibilities: Greet and seat guests, manage reservations, oversee wait times.
- Required Education: High school diploma.
Kitchen Manager
- Average Salary: $58,000
- Job Description: Kitchen managers oversee food preparation, storage, and kitchen operations, including menu creation, inventory management, and staff scheduling.
- Responsibilities: Supervise kitchen staff, ensure food safety, manage inventory.
- Required Education: High school diploma, culinary school certificate, or bachelor’s degree in restaurant management.
Restaurant Server
- Average Salary: $45,000
- Job Description: Servers take orders, serve food and drinks, and ensure a pleasant dining experience for guests.
- Responsibilities: Take orders, deliver food, assist with table setup and cleanliness.
- Required Education: No specific requirements, but a high school diploma may be preferred.
Sous Chef
- Average Salary: $45,000
- Job Description: Sous chefs assist the executive chef, manage kitchen staff, and ensure food quality.
- Responsibilities: Food preparation, menu planning, inventory management.
- Required Education: Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in culinary arts.
Pastry Chef
- Average Salary: $47,900
- Job Description: Pastry chefs specialize in baked goods, desserts, and pastries, often creating new recipes and presentation styles.
- Responsibilities: Bake, decorate, invent new recipes.
- Required Education: GED or high school diploma, with certifications for advanced roles.
Line Cook
- Average Salary: $47,000
- Job Description: Line cooks are responsible for food preparation at specific stations within the kitchen.
- Responsibilities: Prepare ingredients, cook meals, ensure food safety.
- Required Education: High school diploma and culinary school certificate.
Bartender
- Average Salary: $48,000
- Job Description: Bartenders mix and serve drinks, manage the bar area, and ensure a good customer experience.
- Responsibilities: Mix drinks, manage inventory, customer service.
- Required Education: No degree required, vocational school beneficial.
Restaurant Manager
- Average Salary: $51,000
- Job Description: Restaurant managers oversee the entire operation, including staff management, menu planning, and customer service.
- Responsibilities: Hire staff, manage operations, handle customer complaints.
- Required Education: GED or high school diploma, hospitality management degree beneficial.
Executive Chef
- Average Salary: $64,000
- Job Description: Executive chefs are responsible for the culinary direction of the restaurant, including menu creation and kitchen management.
- Responsibilities: Design menus, manage kitchen staff, oversee food preparation.
- Required Education: Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in culinary arts.
Sommelier
- Average Salary: $73,000
- Job Description: Sommeliers are wine experts who manage wine selection and pairing in restaurants.
- Responsibilities: Select wines, manage inventory, conduct wine tastings.
- Required Education: No strict requirements, but credentials from a professional association are advantageous.
Final Thoughts
The restaurant industry offers a wide range of lucrative career paths, from the creativity and precision of a pastry chef to the strategic oversight of a restaurant manager. Whether you’re passionate about food, service, or management, there’s a high-paying job for you in the restaurant world.
Other Jobs in Hospitality and Food Service
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- See All High-Paying Career Opportunities By Industry
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