About Server Jobs in Madison, WI
Madison Server Jobs Overview
Can you guess the No. 1 reason customers return to a restaurant? According to FSR Magazine, it’s not the food but the service that makes or breaks the dining experience. That’s one of the reasons server jobs are so important. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that job openings for servers will see an extraordinary 20% increase over the next 10 years. This includes new openings in many types of food establishments, including restaurants, bars, and hotels.
One of the advantages of being a server is flexibility. You can work part- or full-time, early morning to the late evening, and even in seasonal jobs at resorts and local attractions. The duties of a server vary as well. Many upscale restaurants employ servers and hostesses to greet customers, seat them, and serve them beverages. The typical server job includes describing dishes, taking customers’ orders, relaying them to the kitchen, and serving meals. Many servers also prepare salads and mix drinks, and if there are no bussers, the servers also clear and clean tables.
You can expand your search for food service jobs by checking out these similar positions:
About Working in Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is one of two major U.S. cities that sit on an isthmus—a narrow strip of land connecting two large areas, with water on either side. Besides "isthmus," other words people use when they're describing Madison are "beer" and "cheese." In fact, Madison is home to a number of local breweries, which are celebrated every spring during Craft Beer Week. And one of the University of Wisconsin's most unique courses of study prepares students for Madison jobs in cheesemaking through its Center for Dairy Research. Each January, Madison's two favorite food groups team up at the annual Beer & Cheese Festival.
If beer and cheese are not your cup of tea, you can enjoy Madison's five lakes—Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, and Kegonsa and 12 public beaches. Madison ranks among the safest places to live in the U.S. with an average cost of living—meaning that the salary from a job in Madison will go pretty far. And outside the city limits, you can also find jobs in nearby cities, including Waukesha, Milwaukee, and Kenosha.
Update Your Madison Server Resume
Many server jobs will require you to fill out an application. You should also submit a resume to show your professionalism and commitment to the job—especially if you’re applying to work at an upscale establishment. Look at Monster’s sample server resume to find out what to include.
A server cover letter will also put you head and shoulders above other applicants. A well-written cover letter gives the hiring manager a glimpse into your personality and communication skills—both of which are important in a customer service job. A cover letter also gives you a chance to discuss information that you don’t touch on in your application or resume, such as your enthusiasm for the job, career goals, and expectations.
How Much Do Server Jobs Pay in Madison, Wisconsin?
Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in server jobs in Madison, Wisconsin, as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median waiter/ waitress pay in Madison is $11.16 per hour, which is 2% lower than the national average.
Find Your Next Madison Server Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
Are you prepared for a career in server? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those server jobs. When you sign up with us, you’ll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary in Madison, how to nail your job interview, and more.