Restaurant Jobs Galore for You to Catch – But Beware Pay Packets Don’t Match

Job seekers stand a better chance of getting a job, if they opt for working in the restaurant industry. Restaurant employment continues to rise and it is predicted that the food service sector will add more than 425-thousand jobs this summer.

Hudson Riehle, an economist and head of research for the National Restaurant Association, said on Monday, “Spring and summer hiring in the restaurant sector is expected to be robust, barring any unforeseen issues such as skyrocketing gas prices.”

However, even though the food service and accommodation industry is predicted to be the 6th largest provider of jobs over the next decade, these jobs do not come with “competitive pay, health benefits or paid sick time” and work in this industry is relatively lesser-paying than other industries.

According to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics last month, “jobs in the food service sector, including everything from waiters to chefs, pay about $19,000 to less than $50,000 a year on the high end.”

Robert Reich, former labor secretary under President Clinton,  “They’re better than nothing but it’s bad for the economy that such low-wage jobs constitute the major share of new jobs being created in America during this so-called recovery.”

The jobs for which workers are in demand are for Chefs and Head Cooks, who are paid $19.53 an hour or $40,630 per year. A BLS study found that, “although overall job opportunities are expected to be good, competition is expected to be high for jobs at upscale restaurants, hotels, and casinos, where the pay tends to be greater.”

Cooks do most of the hard work in the kitchen for which the chef takes the credit. These jobs will pay $20,260 a year, or $9.74 an hour. Of course the experience could position you well, in getting jobs at upscale hotels in later years.

The job of waiters and waitresses does not require any high school diploma, but the pay is not too great. The pay is $18,330 annually, or $8.81 per hour, and if you think, tipping will add to that, a little dampener is that it includes tips.

Bartenders are amongst the most showy and ostentatious workers. Unfortunately their paychecks do not match the showiness of their job. Pay including tips is $18,680 a year, or $8.98 an hour.

However, job applicants with work experience and the requisite qualifications can opt for upscale establishments, where pay will be, comparatively much higher.

Just getting a job this summer is exciting news, irrespective of what the payment is, Lara Sayegh, a nursing student, working as a waitress said, “It’s still a great way to earn extra income. If you have the right personality and the right people skills, you can definitely make it in this industry.”