Wait Staff Jobs in Santa Cruz, CA

Wait Staff, also known as servers, are integral to the Hospitality Service industry as they are primarily responsible for serving food and beverages to customers, taking orders, and providing excellent customer service in restaurants, cafes, and other food-service establishments. Their tasks include handling cash transactions, cleaning tables, answering customer inquiries about the menu, and ensuring that the food service area is clean and well-stocked. They are the face of the establishment, as they directly interact with customers, making them crucial in maintaining the restaurant's reputation and overall guest experience.

Essential skills for Wait Staff include strong communication, ability to work under pressure, customer service skills, physical stamina, and multitasking. They must also have a good memory to remember orders and the layout of the tables. No specific certifications are generally needed, but having a Food Handler's Card or ServSafe certification can be beneficial, while some upscale restaurants might require formal training or a degree in hospitality or a related field. Before becoming a Wait Staffer, a person may have roles such as Host or Hostess, Busser, or Food Runner. These positions allow individuals to gain experience in the food service environment and customer service, preparing them for a server position.

1-15 of 205 Jobs

Banquet Server

  • Santa Cruz, CA
  • 2 hours ago
  • Santa Cruz, CA
  • 2 hours ago

Break down to include bussing tables, putting away dirty linen and centerpieces, vacuuming. Responsibilities also include cleaning of back hall and organizing of storerooms....

barista - Store# 20234, EL CAMINO & GRANT

  • Mountain View, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 10 hours ago
  • Mountain View, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 10 hours ago

Join us and inspire with every cup! At Starbucks, it s all about connection. People are at the heart of who we are, especially the people that are a part of our store team. We connect with each...

barista - Store# 06996, BLOSSOM HILL & WINFIELD

  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 10 hours ago
  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 10 hours ago

Join us and inspire with every cup! At Starbucks, it s all about connection. People are at the heart of who we are, especially the people that are a part of our store team. We connect with each...

On Call Banquets Captain ($18.75)

  • Santa Clara, CA (22 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 12 hours ago
  • Santa Clara, CA (22 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 12 hours ago

At Hyatt, we believe our guests select Hyatt because of our caring and attentive associates who are focused on providing authentic hospitality and meaningful experiences to each and every guest....

Cafe Cashier

  • Capitola, CA (12 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 1 day ago
  • Capitola, CA (12 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 1 day ago

Now Hiring: Cafe Cashier Join Our Team! Were looking for a friendly, reliable, and energetic Cafe Cashier to join our team of good people serving great food! If you thrive in a high-volume...

Starbucks Barista

  • Mountain View, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 1 day ago
  • Mountain View, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 1 day ago

Id : 589616, Title : Starbucks Barista, Category : Retail, Store Ops, RequisitionType : High Volume - Retail, JobGrade : null, RequisitionId : ...960, ExternalPostedStartDate : 2025-04-24T22:10:25...

Food Runner - Blossom Hill Chilis

  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 1 day ago
  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 1 day ago

Role Overview Our Food Runners create an exceptional experience for our Guests and their fellow Team Members by sharing their passion for beverages, food, and people. We hire primarily food...

Busser - Capitola Mall Chilis

  • Capitola, CA (12 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 1 day ago
  • Capitola, CA (12 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 1 day ago

Role Overview Our Busser Team Members are responsible for efficiently maintaining a clean and sanitary dining room for our guests. They provide the dependable and fast service that Chili's is...

barista - Store# 05730, 200 SARATOGA AVENUE

  • Santa Clara, CA (22 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 1 day ago
  • Santa Clara, CA (22 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 1 day ago

Join us and inspire with every cup! At Starbucks, it's all about connection. People are at the heart of who we are, especially the people that are a part of our store team. We connect with each...

barista - Store# 50686, Stevens Creek & Pasadena

  • Cupertino, CA (15 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 1 day ago
  • Cupertino, CA (15 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 1 day ago

Join us and inspire with every cup! At Starbucks, it's all about connection. People are at the heart of who we are, especially the people that are a part of our store team. We connect with each...

barista - Store# 08978, FREEDOM & AIRPORT

  • Freedom, CA (22 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 1 day ago
  • Freedom, CA (22 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 1 day ago

Join us and inspire with every cup! At Starbucks, it's all about connection. People are at the heart of who we are, especially the people that are a part of our store team. We connect with each...

barista - Store# 20587, Ocean & Water - Santa Cruz

  • Santa Cruz, CA
  • 1 day ago
  • Santa Cruz, CA
  • 1 day ago

Join us and inspire with every cup! At Starbucks, it's all about connection. People are at the heart of who we are, especially the people that are a part of our store team. We connect with each...

Catering Attendant (Full Time)

  • Sunnyvale, CA (23 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 2 days ago
  • Sunnyvale, CA (23 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 2 days ago

We are hiring immediately for full time CATERING ATTENDANT positions. Location : Synopsis - 800 North Mary Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085. Note: online applications accepted only. Schedule : Full...

Barista

  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 2 days ago
  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 2 days ago

Barista Recruitology San Jose, CA Contract Accounting Posted on April 03, 2025 Job Title: Barista Job Summary: We are seeking a skilled Barista to join our team and provide excellent service to...

Busser - Capitola Mall Chili's

  • Capitola, CA (12 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 2 days ago
  • Capitola, CA (12 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 2 days ago

Role Overview Our Busser Team Members are responsible for efficiently maintaining a clean and sanitary dining room for our guests. They provide the dependable and fast service that Chili's is...

Demographic Data for Santa Cruz, CA

Moving to Santa Cruz, CA? Find some basic demographic data about Santa Cruz, CA below.


Local
National
101,449
2,927
Medium/Lg

Wait Staff Online Courses and Training Opportunities

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Salary for Wait Staff Jobs in Santa Cruz, CA

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireHospitalityServices research efforts.

Licensing / Certification

Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Wait Staff positions.



Highest Education Level

Wait Staffs in Santa Cruz, CA offer the following education background
High School or GED
41.5%
Bachelor's Degree
21.0%
Associate's Degree
13.0%
Vocational Degree or Certification
12.7%
Master's Degree
3.9%
Some College
3.8%
Some High School
3.1%
Doctorate Degree
0.9%

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Wait Staffs in Santa Cruz, CA
Less than 1 year
34.0%
None
24.3%
1-2 years
24.0%
2-4 years
17.8%


Other Career Titles

Here are some other career titles that require similar skills



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