Find a Job You Really Want In
Restaurant work is where many people get their professional start. Whether they’re still in high school and trying to earn a little extra cash or they’ve spent their entire life training to be one of the best in the industry, restaurants are a great career path.
Working in restaurants can cover a lot of different professions, from fast food to fine dining, catering to working in a private residence, baristas to sommeliers. There are a lot of different niches in the world of restaurants, and it’s an industry that’s constantly looking for new people.
If you’re interested in exploring restaurant work, the following list of jobs will give you an idea of what professions are out there and might inspire you to find a career path in food service.
Here are 15 great jobs in the restaurant industry:
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Dishwasher Jobs (Overview)
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Host/Hostess Jobs (Overview)
The 5 Best-Paying Jobs in Restaurants
Working in the restaurant industry is usually the first job for many people. Some people use it as a way to earn extra income and to learn how to manage to work for the first time. Other people take this industry by storm and run with the advantages it offers to create a well-paying career for themselves.
Some of the best jobs in the restaurant industry come with the highest paychecks, and these jobs include:
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Average Annual Salary: $50,000
If you’ve earned a good reputation in the restaurant world and understand the ins and outs of how to make a successful restaurant run, then you might be able to become a restaurant manager.
Your job isn’t just about scheduling the staff and checking with customers; it involves ordering foods, keeping up on trends in the food and beverage world, managing your stock, safe food handling, having a safe work environment, and so much more. The job is a taxing one, and it requires late nights and weekend work, but it can be a financially rewarding job, too.
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Sommelier/Wine Steward
Average Annual Salary: $36,000
To become a sommelier, you need to earn your L3 wine certification from a reputable wine school. This entails being able to taste differences in wines and being able to identify different varietals. You’ll also need to be good at sharing that knowledge with the rest waitstaff so they know what to recommend to guests.
Sommeliers or wine stewards tend to make good money because they work in the finest restaurants where the pay and tips are better.
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Average Annual Salary: $64,000
The restaurant owner or restauranteur is where big money is in most situations. Of course, it’s also a risky business, so with the rewards comes the potential for great downfalls too.
Usually, a restauranteur has a lot of wealth to begin with, which is what allows them to invest in restaurants. But there are many times when someone works their way up in the restaurant business until they can open their own restaurant or even a chain of restaurants.
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Average Annual Salary: $65,000
The restaurant and food service world also includes catering. Whether it’s a company or even an individual who offers catering or it’s an extension of the restaurant, this is a great field to get into.
Moving up to the rank of Director of Catering can ensure that you’re going to make a lot of money, but you’re also going to be very busy. Your job requires you to be at the top of your game, always satisfying the client (who may be a demanding bride or groom) to ensure the food is handled safely and correctly and that you have enough food for the event.
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Average Annual Salary: $46,000
The highest paying job in the food service industry is that of a private chef. Many private chefs work in exclusive restaurants that cater only to the rich and famous and feature limited seatings and menus.
Other private chefs leave the restaurant behind and set it up inside the residence of their clients, creating an atmosphere of fine dining in the individual’s home. This job pays very well, but you’re expected to manage an entire staff and be on call at all hours.
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10 Entry-Level Jobs in Restaurants
If you’re considering diving into the restaurant business, there’s some good news when it comes to entry-level positions. There are a ton of job openings. This is one of those fields that’s often considered a first job or a place to go to get a little extra income by working on nights and weekends.
It’s a great place to start, and it’s also an area where you can always step in and supplement your income. The following are some popular entry-level jobs you can do in the restaurant industry.
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Waitstaff/Server
Average Annual Salary: $26,000
They’re everywhere, and you’ve been served by them countless times. The people who take your order and bring you your food are your waitresses and waiters, and this is usually an entry-level job that you can start on day one with minimal training and no extra education.
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Average Annual Salary: $22,000
The busser is responsible for cleaning up the restaurant or table after the diners leave. They may also be responsible for setting a new table and stocking condiments. There’s no additional experience needed and not much training either.
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Dishwasher
Average Annual Salary: $27,000
For people who are more interested in working behind the scenes, the job of a dishwasher might be their first stop in the restaurant business. Some dishes will be hand-washed, while others will simply be loaded into the machine and pulled out when they’re done. It’s a labor-intensive job, and the conditions can be very sweaty, but it’s a great way to learn about the kitchen.
Find Dishwasher jobs near me
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Average Annual Salary: $31,000
Another back-of-house job is that of line cook, and it’s a perfect place to be if you’re interested in the cooking side of things. Many chefs began their careers as line cooks, learning the ins and outs of the business in the trenches. Your duties can vary but might include frying, grilling, sauteing, and all sorts of other tasks as necessary.
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Average Annual Salary: $30,000
The prep cook prepares the food for cooking or serving. You’ll need to be good with a knife to successfully manage this job because it requires a lot of cutting. You’ll handle fresh produce, meats, fish, cheese, and other foods.
Sometimes you’ll prepare them for raw service, and other times you’ll be getting them ready for the next step in the cooking process. This job will teach you a lot about food safety and will help you hone the knife skills you need to be a chef.
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Average Annual Salary: $23,000
The bartender is a front-of-house job that can pay quite well, depending on the tip situation. You’ll need to have a bartender’s license to get this job, or at least be in the process of earning one. It’s not a very difficult license to earn, and you’ll appreciate the training.
After that, there will be a lot of on-the-job training that you’ll need to learn how to make all of the drinks. Many bars have taken this skill to the next level these days with mixologists who concoct exquisite libations that are almost like artwork.
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Average Annual Salary: $22,000
The most public-facing job in the restaurant business is probably that of host/hostess. You’re the first person guests see when they walk in the door, and you might be the person they talk to on the phone to make a reservation.
It’s your job to make them feel welcome and to start their experience off on the right foot. There isn’t much training involved in this position, and it’s easily an entry-level job; you just need to have the right personality to be a good fit.
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Average Annual Salary: $25,000
Not all restaurant jobs are in “sit-down” restaurants; many people begin their career in the food services industry in a fast-food restaurant. This can be a great way to pick up some extra cash and begin your career.
Taking orders in a fast food restaurant will require some training because you’ll be working on a computer register that can be complicated if you’ve never used one. But once you get the hang of that, you’ll be a pro in no time.
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Average Annual Salary: $39,000
Pizza restaurants used to be the best place to go to work as a delivery driver, but in today’s world, just about every restaurant wants in on the delivery business. This usually means you’ll be taking orders out to people’s homes or to businesses.
In some restaurants, you’ll also be responsible for taking the orders and maybe even packaging them. This all depends on the restaurant and its policies.
To do this job, you won’t need any extra education, but you’re going to need a valid driver’s license.
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Average Annual Salary: $27,000
If you’re not a night person but want to join the restaurant world, skip dinner service, and move right into early mornings with the coffee shift, then becoming a barista would be a great fit and a good way to earn extra money in the morning and afternoon.
It takes some skill to get the coffee just right, but once you do, you’ll get followers who love the way you make their morning brew. It’s an entry-level job that earns a lot of respect.
Why Choose a Career in the Restaurant Industry
The best reason to choose a job in restaurants is that you’ll easily find work. This is a field that’s never going to go away entirely. There may be changes in the industry and in your region, but there will always be restaurant jobs and people looking to fill them.
Working in a perennial business also brings a lot of other benefits that will make it clear why you should pursue a career in restaurants.
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Job security. As mentioned, there will always be restaurant jobs, and as long as you’re a good worker who shows up and does your job, you’ll be in demand. In some places, the demand is so huge for workers that you don’t even need to be good at your job to keep it.
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Opportunity for advancement. Learn how to do another job in your restaurant, and you become more valuable to the management and can pick which job you prefer to do. This flexibility can be extremely beneficial, especially if you’re looking for more money or pursuing a specific professional avenue.
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Free food. This can be a big deal when you’re young and working through college or starting out on your own. Most restaurants offer their waitstaff free meals.
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Can live anywhere. If you’re interested in moving somewhere else or living in a lot of different places to explore the world, there is always a job in the food industry out there for you. This business is everywhere, and as long as you have experience, you can get a job. You might not even need to speak the language to find work.
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Life experience. In this business, you’ll encounter all sorts of people who can really expand your experiences and help you learn to deal with others. You’ll be working under pressure, exposed to different foods, cultures, and personalities, and you can learn how a business runs. You get a lot more out of it than just understanding how to plate a meal.
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Additional income. Not everyone who works in a restaurant is doing it as a full-time job. Many people work in the food service industry on a part-time basis to make additional money. There’s always work, and there are always part-time hours – making this one of the best professions for boosting your income.
Education and Certification Requirements for a Career in Restaurants
Here’s the good news, you don’t need an education or certifications to begin your career in the restaurant business. But there will be an opportunity for you to gain some additional education and certificates along the way that can boost your income and catapult your career trajectory.
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On-the-Job Training. This is to be expected in every restaurant or food service job anywhere. Each business runs a little differently, so you’re going to have to learn the ropes while you’re at work.
It might be overwhelming at first, especially if it’s something you’ve never done before, but there are always people to ask. You’ll usually start out shadowing someone until you feel comfortable doing it on your own.
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Bartender’s License. This can be very beneficial to your career, especially when you consider the tips that a bartender can make. Getting a bartender’s license may be required in your state, and it might not. You can get your license by taking classes in person or online.
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Certified Foodservice Professional. The CFSP credential is offered by the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM) and is something that most chefs earn because it proves that they are aware of industry standards regarding food service and preparation.
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Culinary Arts Degree. Most chefs study culinary arts and earn an Associate’s Degree. This isn’t necessary to hold many cooking jobs in restaurants, but if you want to hit that top chef status, then you’re going to want this degree. It’s not just about how the degree looks on your resume, there’s a lot to learn about food, and you’ll appreciate having this knowledge.
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Bachelor’s Degree in Restaurant Management. If you want to run a restaurant one day, then having a bachelor’s degree in restaurant management or hospitality can give you a big leg up on the competition.
But it does need to be said that experience will play into your success just as much as education will. Don’t think you’ll achieve management status without ever working in a restaurant.
Is the Restaurant Industry a Good Career Path?
Yes, working in restaurants is a great career path. There is a lot of job security, and you can find a job just about anywhere. That makes this a great career as well as a supplemental profession. In fact, there are some people who work two restaurant jobs, one as their career and one for added income.
This field is all about the customer, whether you work with them directly by serving them or you work with them indirectly and spend your time behind the scenes. Either way, you’ll want to have good people skills to consider the customer and their experience first.
You’ll also be working with other people constantly and in high-stress situations. If you love that dynamic and the energy that comes from other people, this profession is going to fit you well.
One of the biggest reasons that people like being in the restaurant business is that there is great potential for a high income. Most people in this field are usually given tips, which means the better they are at their jobs, the more money they’ll make. That’s reason enough to be a hard worker and to love your job.
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Author
Kristin Kizer is an award-winning writer, television and documentary producer, and content specialist who has worked on a wide variety of written, broadcast, and electronic publications. A former writer/producer for The Discovery Channel, she is now a freelance writer and delighted to be sharing her talents and time with the wonderful Zippia audience.
