Food & BeverageCompare

Server

O*NET: Waiters and Waitresses·35-3031.00

The Verdict:Servers deliver hands-on service in bustling dining rooms — balancing trays, pouring drinks, clearing tables amid spills and crowds. No robot matches this dexterity and pace. Human rapport enhances the experience, though self-ordering kiosks nibble at edges. Preference for personal service holds for now, but convenience could shift demand over the next decade.

Resilience Score

/100

Resilient

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$34k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

-0.7%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 1 of 27 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

Low exposure

Task Analysis

This role's core work is hard to automate.
19 of 27 tasks require human judgment, presence, or trust. The 26% that are AI-leverage offer an edge — professionals who learn these tools will outperform those who don't.

1exposed

7AI leverage

19human-essential

View all 27 tasks

AI Can Handle This1 task

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.

AI Leverage7 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Collect payments from customers.

Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.

Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.

Inform customers of daily specials.

Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.

Provide guests with information about local areas, including directions.

Check with customers to see if they want to apply any rewards to their purchase.

Human Advantage19 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals, and take action to correct any problems.

Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters, and take them to kitchen for cleaning.

Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining.

Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required.

Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, tidying up server station, taking out trash, or checking and cleaning bathroom.

Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.

Prepare tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware.

Stock service areas with supplies such as coffee, food, tableware, and linens.

Roll silverware, set up food stations, or set up dining areas to prepare for the next shift or for large parties.

Assist host or hostess by answering phones to take reservations or to-go orders, and by greeting, seating, and thanking guests.

Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers.

Perform food preparation duties, such as preparing salads, appetizers, and cold dishes, portioning desserts, and brewing coffee.

Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine.

Escort customers to their tables.

Garnish and decorate dishes in preparation for serving.

Bring wine selections to tables with appropriate glasses, and pour the wines for customers.

Describe and recommend wines to customers.

Perform routine tasks, such as refilling syrups, sanitizer bottles, and other essential supplies.

Resilience Landscape

Server lands in Stable, Lower Pay

Higher Resilience Paths in Food & Beverage

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Bartender

Score

+3 pts more resilient

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Food & Beverage

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Score

+2 pts more resilient

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