Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Serve food to individuals outside of a restaurant environment, such as in hotel rooms, hospital rooms, residential care facilities, or cars.
Also called: Food Server · Food Service Worker · Kitchen Runner · Room Server · Room Service Server · Tray Server
Median pay (national)
$34,460
$26,590–$44,770 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
271,780
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+3%
~48,000 openings/yr
Typical entry
No formal educational credential
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for food servers, nonrestaurant shows a relatively narrow range: the top 10% earn $44,770 versus $26,590 at the bottom 10% — 1.7x. The median of $34,460 leaves roughly 30% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +3% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 48,000 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, Colorado pays the most for this role (median $38,180, +11% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $20,570 — a 86% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Place food servings on plates or trays according to orders or instructions.
- Clean or sterilize dishes, kitchen utensils, equipment, or facilities.
- Monitor food distribution, ensuring that meals are delivered to the correct recipients and that guidelines, such as those for special diets, are followed.
- Examine trays to ensure that they contain required items.
- Load trays with accessories, such as eating utensils, napkins, or condiments.
- Carry food, silverware, or linen on trays or use carts to carry trays.
- Stock service stations with items, such as ice, napkins, or straws.
- Determine where patients or patrons would like to eat their meals and help them get situated.
- Take food orders and relay orders to kitchens or serving counters so they can be filled.
- Prepare food items, such as sandwiches, salads, soups, or beverages.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Windows
- Capital Codeworks MenuMax
- CBORD Nutrition Service Suite
- Picis CareSuite
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Food Production
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
- Public Safety and Security
- Mathematics
- Psychology