How much does a waiter earn?

Question

If I become a waiter at a chain restaurant such as UNO or Outback, etc... what is the daily and weekly likely average I will get in tips? I know it varies, but what is the ballpark?

I just started training today and my trainer only made about $40 in tips for the dinner shift (Wednesday). I know she served fewer tables due to taking her time showing me the ropes... but what do you guys think? DAILY and WEEKLY~~~

Answer 1

3-5$ an hour

Answer 2

For this line of work the location makes most of the difference. If you are by a lot of hotels or convention places I'll guess maybe $150-$300 on a double weekend shift. If you are in a residential area you might be looking at maybe $75-$200 on a doube weekend shift. try to be promoted to the bar. That's usually where the big money is. At least your base pay won't be $2.13 per hour.

Answer 3

It's now 3.50 per hour plus tips.

Answer 4

It depends how hot they are..

Answer 5

on average,you would earn about $60-$70 a day.but if you work at a restaurant with big screen tv's where they can watch ballgames,you will earn more than that especially if you bartend.

Answer 6

I've been a server for a few years now, and it isn't for everyone. Everyday is hit or miss. One day you'll do great and make $150, next day you'l do a double and not even break $50. Depends on how good you get at doing it, where your section is, how many tables and if the host/hostess' like you. If you get in good with the hostess', you'll do fine.

Once you get really good, big tops (big tables) are where the money is. You get a big top and you bank. Always shoot for that 20% tip, and upsell like a mother. The bigger the check, the better the tip . . as long as you don't suck.

Answer 7

this depends on alot of things.  people who are in it just for the quick dollar are the ones talking about making 40-75.  i've been bar tending for 8 plus years. i obviously love my job. i make a varied income just as everyone in the industry, but it can be very good.  i am highly upset at under 200 a night.  granted i have a great bar, but it is a small sports bar.  i run the bar on my own, but it is steady with great regulars.  find a better spot than a chain restaurant.  i too started there, and it is a good way to learn the flow of things.  use that and find a good spot, start with where the staff of your place goes when they get off.  those places that attract restaurant people tend to have a higher tip percentage.  it makes sense that those that do it tip better for it.  depending on why you're doing it and your willingness to put up with **** occasionally, it is really great.  me, i love it, i own a house drive a nice car, and don't typically have any money problems.  i'm 28 and still doing the bar gig, when i originally just needed a better job to get me through school.  kill them with kindness, just remember that!  good luck

Answer 8

Restaurants are only required to pay waiters about $3.80 per hour (before tips), and if a waiter doesn't make enough in tips to make it to minimum wage, the restaurant has to pay the difference as well. Waiters at places like UNO or Outback are usually paid more (In my area $7 to $8 per hour before tips).

Answer 9

My cousin is a server, and she told me since the economy has worsened she isn't making as much in tips as she used to.  A lot has to do with your location also.  In some areas people tip better.  For instance, a few years ago my son was a server at Pizza Hut in a very upscale part of town.  Some nights he would average $20 per hour, but that is not typical for a pizza joint.

Do you have to share your tips?  Many restaurants do this now, so you want to check into that.  My daughter was a hostess at O'Charley's, and she got a share of the servers' tips every week.

And remember, people don't tip because they have to.  Give excellent service, do your best to make the meal perfect, if the cook or anyone else makes an error apologize all over the place.  Make sure your customers are well taken care of, and they will remember it when the bill comes.  As I mentioned earlier, the economy may hurt your tips.  I personally don't tip less because of it, and people shouldn't go to restaurants if they can't afford the tip.

I hope it works out for you!

Answer 10

On average, figure about 10 percent of each check is what you will receive in tips.  Then, if you are smart you will split the amount you make in tips at the end of the night with the people who bus your tables.

Why ? Because if the people who clean and bus your tables take their time about it you will have fewer people sitting at your tables.

Finally, you have to declare how much you made in tips for taxes. On the average, you will probably lose 10 percent to taxes depending on local and state laws out by you.

Answer 11

one good thing about Tips is you will aways have money,& thin yore check?.

Answer 12

$2.50/hr + tips

Answer 13

I used to be a waitress at Red Lobster and let me tell you, I loved it! Honestly, week nights (especially mon - wed) i would usually only walk with about $70-$80(thats after tipping the bar and bussers) but friday thru sunday i could almost always count on at least 100 but usually more. And then i always had my little $50 check every friday also. I only worked 4 days a week and averaged about 400 a week. Not too shabby

Answer 14

it depends on a few things:

how great of service you provide

how great of a tipper the customer is, or if they have a lot of $

how large the total bill is

how many customers you will serve

if you have to split the tips with buspersons

how much the customer drinks alcohol

Answer 15

Well I know it' about 5.15 ar what every the new low wage is.

Answer 16

minimum wage unless your really polite you could get some awsome tips. once my cousin got a hundred dollars from one table

Answer 17

It is like real estate... location. If you are on a busy highway, then you will probably get more tips. It also depends on how good you are too.  I am guessing weekly, $200-50 Daily $50

Answer 18

I wait tables at an Indian restaurant in downtown Charleston, WV. I get $6/hr but as far as tips, I get about ballpark 60-70 bucks a night, maybe 250 a week or so.

It depends also on how many other people are working that shift and how busy it is, etc.

Strange, but always seems like it's the large groups of older rich people that tip the worst.

One key is to, first, always know what you're talking about (the different dishes, menu, etc) and then to always keep a light hearted tone about things. Have a sense of humour with them or ask about what they're doing in town or where they're from, where they're going, etc, and make some recommendations.

I got a $40 tip from a table of two once because I'd been joking with them all night and telling them about the town and the general area (they were from out of state) and things they could find around here.

Answer 19

Remember that small things like attention to detail and attitude will greatly affect your tip flow. Refill fountain drinks (and other free refill drinks) when 1/2 full and before being asked. People notice and apperciate when you go the extra mile for them. Very few still do this these days. Be one of the few who stand out. Who knows, this might just grab you some regulars :) Where you are located and the season also will affect your cash flow. Just remember that people are stressing over the high gas prices and such, so tips aren't as generous as they once were.

Answer 20

guy waiters dont make **** get a different job or get b***s

Answer 21

I think I average about $300 a week, but I don't work that often.  I do really well, tonight I made $75 in tips, but I was in cocktail and had really haigh alcohol sales.  I made more tonight than some of the shift leaders because of it.  Weekdays are going to be prob around $40-$50 on average, weekends $70-$100 depending on how well you sell alcohol, upgrades, appatizers and desserts.   It's the slow season, so the average may drop a bit.

Just remember to suggest two alcoholic drinks, two appatizers, and two desserts to every table.  Dont just say "hey, how bout dessert?"  say "So, did you save any room for dessert today?  You should really try our fudge cake sunday it's really good and we make both the cake and fudge fresh in house!"

Also, expect about 3.77/hr wages, and don't be surprised when they guys at work are making more than the girls!  Most of the guys I work with bank at the end of the night pulling in $100+ easy on a Saturday night shift in a bad section.

Answer 22

Good day;

I have been a gm in those kind of restaurants for 25 years..

and  Thur, Fri, Sat nite are the best nights and a good wait person can do 100-150 but its not  easy on  a week night 40-75 is about right...Darling I don't think I know....The best thing to do is learn the ropes the better you get, the more tables and a better section. you get....Also get to know your customers repeat business is easy money. Up selling is a most and any and all good waitstaff using this to enrich their pockets...If  you can ask to do lunch Mon-Fri great way to build up experience and you will do about 40-75 a day , when have the experience add on a weekend night...Good luck

ps I still take tables, I work front and back of house