Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Food and beverage serving and related workers typically have no requirements for formal education or work experience to enter the occupation. They learn their skills on the job. PayThe median hourly wage for food and beverage serving and related workers was $15.24 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of food and beverage serving and related workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,078,500 openings for food and beverage serving and related workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food and beverage serving and related workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food and beverage serving and related workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about food and beverage serving and related workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median hourly wage for food and beverage serving and related workers was $15.24 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of food and beverage serving and related workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,078,500 openings for food and beverage serving and related workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food and beverage serving and related workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food and beverage serving and related workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about food and beverage serving and related workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of food and beverage serving and related workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,078,500 openings for food and beverage serving and related workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food and beverage serving and related workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food and beverage serving and related workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about food and beverage serving and related workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Food and beverage serving and related workers take and prepare orders, clear tables, and do other tasks associated with providing food and drink to customers.
Work Environment
Food and beverage serving and related workers are employed in restaurants, schools, and other dining places. Work shifts often include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays. Part-time work is common.
How to Become a Food and Beverage Serving or Related Worker
Food and beverage serving and related workers typically have no requirements for formal education or work experience to enter the occupation. They learn their skills on the job.
Pay
The median hourly wage for food and beverage serving and related workers was $15.24 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of food and beverage serving and related workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 1,078,500 openings for food and beverage serving and related workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food and beverage serving and related workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food and beverage serving and related workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about food and beverage serving and related workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Food and beverage serving and related workers are employed in restaurants, schools, and other dining places. Work shifts often include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays. Part-time work is common.
How to Become a Food and Beverage Serving or Related Worker
Food and beverage serving and related workers typically have no requirements for formal education or work experience to enter the occupation. They learn their skills on the job.
Pay
The median hourly wage for food and beverage serving and related workers was $15.24 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of food and beverage serving and related workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 1,078,500 openings for food and beverage serving and related workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food and beverage serving and related workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food and beverage serving and related workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about food and beverage serving and related workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food and beverage serving and related workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food and beverage serving and related workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about food and beverage serving and related workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about food and beverage serving and related workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.