Wait Staff Jobs in Santa Maria, 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 24 Jobs

Cage/Vault Cashier

  • Santa Ynez, CA (20 miles from Santa Maria, CA)
  • 16 hours ago
  • Santa Ynez, CA (20 miles from Santa Maria, CA)
  • 16 hours ago

Overview Provides the highest level of Guest Service, by performing cashiering functions in support of the Cage/Vault Department. Responsibilities Responsible and accountable for a window bank, as...

barista - Store# 10185, BETTERAVIA & COLLEGE

  • Santa Maria, CA
  • 7 days ago
  • Santa Maria, CA
  • 7 days 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# 05917, BROADWAY AND MCCOY

  • Santa Maria, CA
  • 11 days ago
  • Santa Maria, CA
  • 11 days 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# 06997, E MAIN & US 101

  • Santa Maria, CA
  • 12 days ago
  • Santa Maria, CA
  • 12 days 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# 06934, BROADWAY & STOWELL, SANTA MARIA

  • Santa Maria, CA
  • 13 days ago
  • Santa Maria, CA
  • 13 days 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...

Server

  • Santa Maria, CA
  • 15 days ago
  • Santa Maria, CA
  • 15 days ago

In most jobs, everyone doesnt spontaneously erupt into applause and start raining down high-fives. At Buffalo Wild Wings, thats just a Thursday night. This is the place to start the next phase of...

Retail Team Member - Cashier

  • Arroyo Grande, CA (17 miles from Santa Maria, CA)
  • 17 days ago
  • Arroyo Grande, CA (17 miles from Santa Maria, CA)
  • 17 days ago

PANERA CAFE RETAIL TEAM MEMBER: CASHIER Want to work in a place where you can learn, laugh, be supported, be yourself and reach your goals? If so, then Panera is for you. We do everything possible...

Server

  • Santa Ynez, CA (20 miles from Santa Maria, CA)
  • 19 days ago
  • Santa Ynez, CA (20 miles from Santa Maria, CA)
  • 19 days ago

Overview The Server is responsible for taking guest orders and delivering exceptional guest service. Responsibilities Delivers exceptional guest service (i.e., prompt, friendly, professional, and...

barista - Store# 08829, TEFFT & MARY, NIPOMO

  • Nipomo, CA (17 miles from Santa Maria, CA)
  • 28 days ago
  • Nipomo, CA (17 miles from Santa Maria, CA)
  • 28 days 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...

To Go Specialist

  • Santa Maria, CA
  • 30+ days ago
  • Santa Maria, CA
  • 30+ days ago

Overview Why You Want to Work Here: We offer weekly pay and competitive wages Flexible scheduling Options for medical, dental and vision starting at less than $10/week Life insurance, short-term...

Server

  • Santa Maria, CA
  • 30+ days ago
  • Santa Maria, CA
  • 30+ days ago

Overview Why You Want to Work Here: We offer weekly pay and competitive wages Flexible scheduling Options for medical, dental and vision starting at less than $10/week Life insurance, short-term...

Busser/Runner

  • Santa Maria, CA
  • 30+ days ago
  • Santa Maria, CA
  • 30+ days ago

Overview Why You Want to Work Here: We offer weekly pay and competitive wages Flexible scheduling Options for medical, dental and vision starting at less than $10/week Life insurance, short-term...

Team Member

  • Santa Maria, CA
  • 30+ days ago
  • Santa Maria, CA
  • 30+ days ago

This job posting is for a position in a restaurant owned and operated by an independent franchisee, not Del Taco LLC. This means the independent franchisee, and not Del Taco LLC will be your...

KFC Team Member

  • Santa Maria, CA
  • 45+ days ago
  • Santa Maria, CA
  • 45+ days ago

At KFC, we feed the world. But we do more than fill people up. We fulfill their life. Our meals matter, and when we serve them with southern hospitality, we make our customer's day. So our jobs...

barista - Store# 05689, WEST BRANCH WAY & RANCHO PKWY

  • Arroyo Grande, CA (17 miles from Santa Maria, CA)
  • 60+ days ago
  • Arroyo Grande, CA (17 miles from Santa Maria, CA)
  • 60+ days 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...

Demographic Data for Santa Maria, CA

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


Local
National
146,203
2,693
Medium/Lg

Wait Staff Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireHospitalityServices curates thousands of courses in order to recommend the best ones to help further your career. If you register for a course using the links on our site, we may receive a small commission.
Leading Well for Staff Health and Wellbeing in the NHS
The health and wellbeing of NHS staff is essential to the quality of care provided to patients, service users and communities. The Covid-19 pandemic placed unprecedented pressures on the health...
Prison Health: Vaccinations for People Working and Living in Prisons (Vaccine Trained Staff)
This two-week course will help you gain an understanding of why vaccines can help protect the health of those living or working in prisons and those around them. Whats more, youll develop the...
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Salary for Wait Staff Jobs in Santa Maria, 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 Maria, 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 Maria, 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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