How to become a food and beverage server
Official title: Food and beverage servers
Also called: Beer server, Wine server, Banquet server, Food and beverage server, Server - food and beverage services, Steward - food and beverage services, Waiter/waitress - food and beverage services, Captain waiter/waitress - food and beverage services, Headwaiter/headwaitress - food and beverage services, Assistant waiter/waitress - food and beverage services, Sommelier, Wine steward
Food and beverage servers take patrons' food and beverage orders and serve orders to patrons. They are employed in restaurants, hotels, bars, taverns, private clubs, banquet halls and similar establishments.
Main tasks
- Greet patrons, present menus, make recommendations and answer questions regarding food and beverages
- Take orders and relay to kitchen and bar staff
- Recommend wines that complement patrons' meals
- Serve food and beverages
- Prepare and serve specialty foods at patrons' tables
- Present bill to patrons and accept payment
- May order and maintain inventory of wines and wine glassware
- May perform sensory evaluation of wines
How to become one
Completion of secondary school may be required. Formal waiters/waitresses may require completion of a one- or two-year apprenticeship program or College or vocational school courses. An apprenticeship program for food and beverage servers is available, but voluntary, in Quebec and Saskatchewan. On-the-job training is usually provided. Sommeliers may require courses in wine selection and service or Experience as a formal waiter/waitress. Responsible beverage service certification is usually required for employees serving alcoholic beverages.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $36,075 a year The middle half earn $31,200 to $46,800.
- About 175,800 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 182,600 are projected by 2033. (+3.9%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations
- Meat cutters and fishmongers - retail and wholesale
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Questions people ask
How do I become a food and beverage server?
Completion of secondary school may be required. Formal waiters/waitresses may require completion of a one- or two-year apprenticeship program or College or vocational school courses. An apprenticeship program for food and beverage servers is available, but voluntary, in Quebec and Saskatchewan. On-the-job training is usually provided. Sommeliers may require courses in wine selection and service or Experience as a formal waiter/waitress. Responsible beverage service certification is usually required for employees serving alcoholic beverages.
How much does a food and beverage server earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $36,075 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $31,200 to $46,800.
Is a food and beverage server a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2033, from about 175,800 to about 182,600 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a food and beverage server?
Usually not. Only 14% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03