Career Paths From Waiters and Waitresses

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

Fast Food and Counter WorkersLateral Move96.5% skill match
Waiters and Waitresses and Fast Food and Counter Workers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Fast Food and Counter Workers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 11% lower.
Current median salary
$35,230
Target median salary
$31,200
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee ShopLateral Move97% skill match
Waiters and Waitresses and Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 11% lower.
Current median salary
$35,230
Target median salary
$31,200
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk ClerksCareer Change95.8% skill match
Waiters and Waitresses and Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set.
Current median salary
$35,230
Target median salary
$35,070
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
CashiersCareer Change96.4% skill match
Waiters and Waitresses and Cashiers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Cashiers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 7% lower.
Current median salary
$35,230
Target median salary
$32,880
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Flight AttendantsCareer Change96.8% skill match
Waiters and Waitresses and Flight Attendants share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Flight Attendants is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 80% higher.
Current median salary
$35,230
Target median salary
$63,580
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Animal CaretakersCareer Change96.4% skill match
Waiters and Waitresses and Animal Caretakers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Animal Caretakers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set.
Current median salary
$35,230
Target median salary
$35,360
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Maids and Housekeeping CleanersCareer Change96.9% skill match
Waiters and Waitresses and Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set.
Current median salary
$35,230
Target median salary
$35,510
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Receptionists and Information ClerksCareer Change97.4% skill match
Waiters and Waitresses and Receptionists and Information Clerks share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Receptionists and Information Clerks is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 8% higher.
Current median salary
$35,230
Target median salary
$38,010
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Public Safety TelecommunicatorsCareer Change95.5% skill match
Waiters and Waitresses and Public Safety Telecommunicators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Public Safety Telecommunicators is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 51% higher.
Current median salary
$35,230
Target median salary
$53,040
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Gambling DealersCareer Change96.5% skill match
Waiters and Waitresses and Gambling Dealers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Gambling Dealers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 3% lower.
Current median salary
$35,230
Target median salary
$34,320
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel ClerksCareer Change95.1% skill match
Waiters and Waitresses and Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 26% higher.
Current median salary
$35,230
Target median salary
$44,390
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Pharmacy AidesCareer Change94.9% skill match
Waiters and Waitresses and Pharmacy Aides share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Pharmacy Aides is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 7% higher.
Current median salary
$35,230
Target median salary
$37,680
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Office Clerks, GeneralCareer Change95.4% skill match
Waiters and Waitresses and Office Clerks, General share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Office Clerks, General is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 28% higher.
Current median salary
$35,230
Target median salary
$45,010
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service WorkersCareer Change95.2% skill match
Waiters and Waitresses and Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 5% lower.
Current median salary
$35,230
Target median salary
$33,580
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Gambling Cage WorkersCareer Change95.6% skill match
Waiters and Waitresses and Gambling Cage Workers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Gambling Cage Workers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 7% higher.
Current median salary
$35,230
Target median salary
$37,580
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.