Waiter Jobs in California
Waiter jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with steady demand concentrated in full-service restaurants, hotel dining rooms, and upscale hospitality venues from entry-level positions through senior floor roles. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are the largest hiring metros, where operators like Darden Restaurants, Compass Group, and the Pechanga Resort Casino maintain consistent staffing needs year-round. The highest demand is for waiters with fine dining experience, banquet service skills, and familiarity with wine or beverage programs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Position Summary:
The successful Server is technically competent in serving food and beverages, is hospitable and cordial to guests and coworkers, acts safely and responsibly, and is knowledgeable about the vessel and the skyline.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide exceptional hospitality to guests and coworkers as prescribed in our service systems, RESPECT.
- Greet guests and serve food and beverages in a timely fashion.
- Accurately take orders and enter them into the point-of-sale system.
- Maintain the cleanliness and safety of all common areas and service stations.
- Participate in the celebration and entertainment experience of the guest.
- Set up and break down dining room and service stations as prescribed; this requires movement of dining cabin furniture.
- Accurately collect payment from guests for on-board purchases.
- Provide information to guests including menu descriptions, order of service, entertainment options, cruise route and points of interest.
- Be prepared to begin work at the scheduled time.
- Maintain uniform and personal grooming in compliance with appearance standards.
- Assist with the warm and efficient greeting and seating of guests when they arrive.
- Additional job duties as assigned.
Requirements & Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- One (1) year experience in high volume restaurant preferred.
- Will work for extended periods without sitting.
- Required to lift furniture and other heavy items such as dishes up and down stairs.
- Must meet minimum state age requirements.
- Strong customer service, organization, and interpersonal skills.
- Maintain a high level of organization, detail oriented and meet deadlines.
- Handle multiple tasks/projects at one time.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships as required by job responsibility.
- Listen effectively, assess the situation, determine relevant issues, & suggest solutions.
- Have a working knowledge of computer skills, including but not limited to proficiency with Microsoft Office Suites.
- Must be able to effectively understand and convey written and verbal information to coworkers and guests.
- Maintain uniform and personal grooming in compliance with appearance standards.
- Will be required to be available for work nights, weekends and on all major holidays.
The RESPECT Service System embodies our mission, vision, values and operating principles. By creating a company culture that puts RESPECT at its core, we believe it will drive us to achieve our goal of becoming a Global Experiences and Transportation Leader.
EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Hornblower is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and prohibit discrimination and/or harassment of any type, including but not limited to discrimination and or harassment based upon race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy or relation medical conditions, childbirth, breastfeeding, parental status, veteran and/or military status, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, genetic information or characteristics, political affiliation, domestic violence survivor status, marital status, or other characteristics prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Additionally, as a federal, state, and local contractor, Hornblower complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals, where and as they apply. The company also participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations.
See All 318+ Waiter Jobs in California
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Find Waiter JobsWaiter Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Waiter Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- BKF Engineers24

- Brio Water Technology19

- Kennedy/Jenks Consultants16

- American Golf Corporation15

- Carollo Engineers15

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services138
- Technology & Software45
- Waste Management & Environmental Services22
- Hospitality & Tourism16
- Sports & Recreation16
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in waiter jobs across California.
- California Food Handler Card required within 30 days of hire
- Prior table service experience in a full-service or fine dining setting
- Responsible Beverage Service certification for roles serving alcohol
- Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled
- Strong knowledge of food allergens, menu items, and preparation methods
- Point-of-sale system proficiency, including order entry and payment processing
Waiter Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a waiter in California?
Becoming a waiter in California requires a California Food Handler Card, which you obtain by completing an accredited food safety course and passing an exam through a provider approved by the California Department of Public Health. Restaurants serving alcohol typically also require Responsible Beverage Service training. No formal degree is needed. Most California employers expect candidates to complete on-the-job training covering the menu, POS systems, and service standards before working a full section independently.
How much do waiters make in California?
Waiters in California earn a median of about $36,080 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $34,320 for the lowest 10% to over $68,950 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire waiters in California?
Employers hiring waiters in California right now include BKF Engineers, Brio Water Technology, and Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's large resort properties, hotel restaurant groups, and multi-location dining concepts tend to post the most consistently and offer structured onboarding for new hires.
Which California cities have the most waiter jobs?
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Clara have the most waiter openings in California. Los Angeles and San Francisco generate the bulk of listings because of their dense concentrations of upscale restaurants, hotel dining operations, and entertainment-driven hospitality venues, while San Diego's year-round tourism and convention activity keeps demand consistently high across all service levels.
Are there remote waiter jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Waiter work is hands-on and location-dependent by nature, so the vast majority of roles require in-person service. About 21% of waiter openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those tend to be coordination or event-planning adjacent roles rather than floor service positions.
How can I get hired as a waiter in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is to start as a host, busser, or food runner at a full-service California restaurant, then move into a waiter role once you understand the floor. Large California hotel groups and restaurant chains often run structured front-of-house training programs that bring in candidates without prior serving experience. Earning a California Food Handler Card before you apply signals readiness and removes a common hiring barrier for managers considering first-time applicants.
Where can I find and apply to waiter jobs in California?
You can find and apply to waiter jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and availability, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 318+ Waiter Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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