Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop

Serve food to diners at counter or from a steam table.

Tasks Include:

Serve food, beverages, or desserts to customers in such settings as take-out counters of restaurants or lunchrooms, business or industrial establishments, hotel rooms, and cars.
Prepare bills for food, using cash registers, calculators, or adding machines, and accept payment or make change.
Cook food or prepare food items, such as sandwiches, salads, and ice cream dishes, using standard formulas or following directions.
Perform cleaning duties such as sweeping, mopping, and washing dishes, to keep equipment and facilities sanitary.
Balance receipts and payments in cash registers.
Wrap menu item such as sandwiches, hot entrees, and desserts for serving or for takeout.
Scrub and polish counters, steam tables, and other equipment, and clean glasses, dishes, and fountain equipment.
Replenish foods at serving stations.
Brew coffee and tea, and fill containers with requested beverages.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0; US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.

Projections Quick View:

Virginia: +12.9%

National: + 6.2%

Education

Less than a High School Diploma

Job Zone:

One: Little or No Preparation Needed

Income Range:

Moderately Low ($17,000 - $27,999)

Average Earnings:

National

$19,280.00

State

$19,720.00

Regional

Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop

Description

Career Cluster:

Hospitality & Tourism

Serve food to diners at counter or from a steam table.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop

Education

Required Level of Education

Less than a High School Diploma = 75.49%
High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate) = 23.61%
Some College Courses = 0.90%

Related Work Experience

None = 41.62%
Up to and including 1 month = 18.12%
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 16.68%
Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 12.18%
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 10.67%
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 0.74%

On-Site or In-Plant Training

None = 59.99%
Up to and including 1 month = 37.63%
Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 1.79%
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 0.58%

On-the-Job Training

Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 46.28%
Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 26.37%
None or short demonstration = 15.06%
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 11.72%
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 0.58%

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop

Tasks

Core Tasks Include:

Serve food, beverages, or desserts to customers in such settings as take-out counters of restaurants or lunchrooms, business or industrial establishments, hotel rooms, and cars.
Prepare bills for food, using cash registers, calculators, or adding machines, and accept payment or make change.
Cook food or prepare food items, such as sandwiches, salads, and ice cream dishes, using standard formulas or following directions.
Perform cleaning duties such as sweeping, mopping, and washing dishes, to keep equipment and facilities sanitary.
Balance receipts and payments in cash registers.
Wrap menu item such as sandwiches, hot entrees, and desserts for serving or for takeout.
Scrub and polish counters, steam tables, and other equipment, and clean glasses, dishes, and fountain equipment.
Replenish foods at serving stations.
Brew coffee and tea, and fill containers with requested beverages.

Supplemental Tasks Include:

Take customers' orders and write ordered items on tickets, giving ticket stubs to customers when needed to identify filled orders.
Order items needed to replenish supplies.
Serve salads, vegetables, meat, breads, and cocktails, ladle soups and sauces, portion desserts, and fill beverage cups and glasses.
Set up dining areas for meals and clear them following meals.
Carve meat.
Deliver orders to kitchens, and pick up and serve food when it is ready.
Add relishes and garnishes to food orders, according to instructions.
Arrange reservations for patrons of dining establishments.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop

Tools and Technology

Tools Include:

Commercial use blenders (Blenders)
Calculators or accessories (Calculators)
Cappuccino or espresso machines (Cappuccino makers)
Carbonated beverage dispenser (Carbonated beverage dispensers)
Cash registers
Commercial use cutlery (Chefs' knives)
Commercial use coffee grinders (Commercial coffee grinders)
Commercial use coffee or iced tea makers (Commercial coffeemakers)
Commercial use dishwashers (Commercial dishwashers)
Commercial use dishwashers (Commercial glasswashers)
Magnetic card readers (Credit card readers)
Desktop computers
Commercial use ranges (Electric ovens)
Commercial use ranges (Electric stoves)
Cappuccino or espresso machines (Espresso machines)
Domestic kitchen or food thermometers (Food thermometers)
Commercial use ranges (Gas ovens)
Commercial use ranges (Gas stoves)
Ice dispensers (Ice-making machines)
Commercial use heat lamps (Infrared heat lamps)
Intercom systems
Non carbonated beverage dispenser (Juice dispensers)
Commercial use microwave ovens (Microwave ovens)
Commercial use blenders (Milk frothers)
Milkshake machines (Milkshake and smoothie machines)
Commercial use mixers (Mixers)
Personal computers
Point of sale POS terminal (Point of sale POS computer terminals)
Commercial use scales (Portion scales)
Commercial use food slicers (Slicing machines)
Soft serve machines (Soft-serve ice cream machines)
Commercial use food warmers (Steam tables)
Touch screen monitors

Technologies Include:

Data base user interface and query software

Data entry software

Point of sale POS software

Aldelo Systems Aldelo for Restaurants Pro
Foodman Home-Delivery
Plexis Software Plexis POS
Point of sale POS software
RestaurantPlus PRO

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop

Knowledge

%	Subject	Description
80.25	Customer and Personal Service	Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
56.25	English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
50.25	Sales and Marketing	Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop

Skills

%	Subject	Description
65.50	Active Listening	Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
59.50	Service Orientation	Actively looking for ways to help people.
56.25	Social Perceptiveness	Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
56.25	Speaking	Talking to others to convey information effectively.
50.00	Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
50.00	Critical Thinking	Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop

Abilities

%	Subject	Description
62.50	Oral Comprehension	The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
59.50	Oral Expression	The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
59.50	Near Vision	The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
59.50	Speech Recognition	The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
56.25	Speech Clarity	The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
50.00	Problem Sensitivity	The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop

Work Activities

%	Subject	Description
84.00	Performing for or Working Directly with the Public	Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
77.50	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
71.25	Getting Information	Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
70.50	Selling or Influencing Others	Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
70.25	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
69.75	Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People	Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
65.00	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
64.00	Making Decisions and Solving Problems	Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
63.00	Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material	Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
62.50	Training and Teaching Others	Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
62.50	Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information	Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
60.25	Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
58.25	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards	Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
57.25	Interacting With Computers	Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
55.25	Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others	Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
54.75	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
52.25	Processing Information	Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
50.50	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop

Work Styles

%	Subject	Description
88.25	Cooperation	Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
76.50	Social Orientation	Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
74.25	Dependability	Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
73.75	Concern for Others	Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
72.00	Attention to Detail	Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
69.00	Leadership	Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
68.50	Self Control	Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
66.00	Integrity	Job requires being honest and ethical.
65.00	Stress Tolerance	Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
62.00	Adaptability/Flexibility	Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
58.00	Achievement/Effort	Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
57.50	Initiative	Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
54.00	Persistence	Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
52.25	Independence	Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop

Work Values

%	Subject	Description
61.17	Relationships	Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop

Work Context

%	Subject	Description
94.00	Spend Time Standing	How much does this job require standing?
83.40	Physical Proximity	To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
82.20	Work With Work Group or Team	How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
81.80	Contact With Others	How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
80.40	Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls	How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
77.20	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled	How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
75.00	Face-to-Face Discussions	How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
69.20	Spend Time Walking and Running	How much does this job require walking and running?
69.00	Deal With External Customers	How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
65.00	Frequency of Decision Making	How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
64.40	Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People	How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
64.00	Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings	How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
61.40	Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets	How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
61.40	Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions	How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
60.00	Structured versus Unstructured Work	To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
60.00	Freedom to Make Decisions	How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
57.60	Time Pressure	How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
57.40	Responsible for Others' Health and Safety	How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
57.20	Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable	How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
55.60	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results	How do the decisions an employee makes impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company?
54.40	Importance of Repeating Same Tasks	How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
53.20	Coordinate or Lead Others	How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
52.40	Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body	How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop

Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed

Overall Experience
- Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before.
Job Training
- Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.
Examples
- These occupations involve following instructions and helping others. Examples include taxi drivers, amusement and recreation attendants, counter and rental clerks, construction laborers, continuous mining machine operators, and waiters/waitresses.
Education
- Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop

Earnings Benefits

Region	Entry Level	Average	Experienced
United States	$16,080.00	$19,450.00	$24,960.00
Virginia	$15,870.00	$19,720.00	$25,720.00

Region	Entry Level	Average	Experienced
Bay Consortium	$16,276.79	$23,157.17	$35,426.32
Capital Region Workforce Partnership	$15,743.79	$17,808.92	$21,928.02
Central VA/Region2000	$15,797.50	$18,485.81	$23,553.37
Crater Area	$15,572.54	$17,522.15	$20,392.86
Greater Peninsula	$15,596.86	$17,465.41	$20,192.22
Hampton Roads	$15,820.80	$17,841.34	$20,545.87
New River/Mt. Rogers	$16,338.61	$18,991.45	$22,970.72
Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington	$16,750.01	$24,466.36	$35,710.05
Piedmont Workforce	$15,660.70	$19,036.04	$24,239.38
Shenandoah Valley	$15,633.34	$17,992.33	$22,435.69
South Central	No Data	No Data	No Data
Southwestern Virginia	$15,488.44	$16,205.86	$17,893.02
West Piedmont	$15,761.02	$17,372.18	$19,447.44
Western Virginia	$15,652.59	$16,976.99	$19,267.07

The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.

Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop

Employment Projections

National	2010	2020	% Change
United States	445,500	472,900	+ 6.2%

State	2008	2018	% Change
Virginia	9,488	10,712	+ 12.9%

Region	2008	2018	% Change
Bay Consortium	531	617	+ 16.2%
Capital Region Workforce Partnership	1,045	1,196	+ 14.4%
Central VA/Region2000	473	518	+ 9.5%
Crater Area	0	0	+ 0.0%
Greater Peninsula	0	0	+ 0.0%
Hampton Roads	1,438	1,623	+ 12.9%
New River/Mt. Rogers	646	730	+ 13.0%
Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington	2,599	2,927	+ 12.6%
Piedmont Workforce	555	622	+ 12.1%
Shenandoah Valley	643	725	+ 12.8%
South Central	0	0	+ 0.0%
Southwestern Virginia	0	0	+ 0.0%
West Piedmont	166	187	+ 12.7%
Western Virginia	308	352	+ 14.3%

The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Workforce Connection.

Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop

Related Occupations

Related Occupations

Careers in Restaurants and Food/Beverage Services Pathway:

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop

View Videos

The following videos are available for this occupation:

Hospitality and Tourism (4.28 Mb)
Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop (4.31 Mb)

Macromedia Flash is required for viewing the videos. If you do not have the Flash plugin, it is freely available for download.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee.

Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop

Proficiency Ratings

These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.

Proficiency	Rating
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public	4.5
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	4.0
Getting Information	4.0
Selling or Influencing Others	4.0
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	4.0
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People	4.0
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	3.5
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	3.5
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material	3.5
Training and Teaching Others	3.5
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information	3.5
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	3.5
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards	3.5
Interacting With Computers	3.5
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others	3.0
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	3.0
Processing Information	3.0
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	3.0
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates	3.0
Coaching and Developing Others	3.0
Documenting/Recording Information	3.0
Analyzing Data or Information	3.0
Developing and Building Teams	3.0
Thinking Creatively	2.5
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization	2.5
Developing Objectives and Strategies	2.5
Scheduling Work and Activities	2.5
Performing Administrative Activities	2.5
Assisting and Caring for Others	2.5
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others	2.5
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others	2.5
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others	2.5
Handling and Moving Objects	2.5
Monitoring and Controlling Resources	2.5
Controlling Machines and Processes	2.0
Performing General Physical Activities	2.0
Staffing Organizational Units	1.5
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment	1.5
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment	1.5
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment	1.5
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment	1.0

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop

Titles

Barista
Cafe Attendant
Cafe Server
Cafe Worker
Cafeteria Cook
Cafeteria Food Server
Cafeteria Server
Cafeteria Worker
Candy Attendant
Candy Bar Attendant
Candy Counter Clerk
Canteen Operator
Cashier
Clerk
Coffee Brewer
Coffee Shop or Cafeteria Lunchroom Counter Attendant
Concession Attendant
Concession Cashier
Concession Stand Attendant
Concessionaire
Cook
Counter Clerk
Counter Helper
Counter Hop
Counter Person
Counter Server
Counter Waiter
Counter Waitress/Waiter
Crew Member
Deli Worker (Delicatessen Worker)
Dish Up Person
Drive Thru Order Taker
Food Counter Worker
Food Server
Food Service Assistant
Food Service Counter Clerk
Food Service Order Clerk
Food Service Worker
Fountain Attendant
Fountain Clerk
Fountain Dispenser
Fountain Helper
Fountain Jerk
Fountain Server
Fountain Waitress/Waiter
Front Counter Attendant
Hot Dog Vender
Ice Cream Dipper
Ice Cream Man
Ice Cream Scooper
Ice Cream Server
Kitchen and Counter Worker (K and C Worker)
Line Person
Line Server
Order Clerk
Order Filler
Order Taker
Popcorn Attendant
Restaurant Worker
Sandwich Artist
Sandwich Counter Attendant
Server
Snack Bar Attendant
Soda Clerk
Soda Dispenser
Soda Fountain Clerk
Soda Fountain Operator
Soda Jerker
Steam Table Attendant
Steam Table Worker
Take Out Waiter
Take Out Waitress
Waiter
Waitress
Window Clerk

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop

Related Schools

College of Lake County
Columbus State Community College
Del Mar College
Harper College
Henry Ford Community College
Illinois Valley Community College
Iowa Western Community College
Kaskaskia College
Lake Land College
Rend Lake College
Richland Community College
Westmoreland County Community College