Main duties
People in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties.
- Greet patrons, present menus, make recommendations and answer questions regarding food and beverages
- Take orders and relay to kitchen and bar staff
- Recommend wines that complement patrons' meals
- Serve food and beverages
- Prepare and serve specialty foods at patrons' tables
- Present bill to patrons and accept payment
- May order and maintain inventory of wines and wine glassware
- May perform sensory evaluation of wines
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school may be required
- Formal waiters/waitresses may require completion of a one- or two-year apprenticeship program or College or vocational school courses
- An apprenticeship program for food and beverage servers is available, but voluntary, in Quebec and Saskatchewan
- On-the-job training is usually provided
- Sommeliers may require courses in wine selection and service or Experience as a formal waiter/waitress
- Responsible beverage service certification is usually required for employees serving alcoholic beverages
Job titles in NOC 65200
38 job titles are classified in this unit group.
- assistant waiter/waitress - food and beverage services
- banquet captain
- banquet headwaiter/headwaitress
- banquet server
- banquet waiter/waitress
- bar service waiter/waitress
- beer server
- buffet waiter/waitress
- camp waiter/waitress
- captain waiter/waitress
- captain waiter/waitress - food and beverage services
- captain waiter/waitress - formal service
- caterer waiter/waitress
- chief wine steward
- club car attendant
- cocktail waiter/waitress
- commissary waiter/waitress
- dining car steward
- dining car waiter/waitress
- dining room captain
- dining room steward
- food and beverage server
- formal service waiter/waitress
- headwaiter/headwaitress - food and beverage services
- hotel waiter/waitress - formal service
- lounge waiter/waitress
- mess waiter/waitress
- restaurant waiter/waitress - formal service
- room service waiter/waitress
- server - food and beverage services
Show all 38 job titles
- sommelier
- steward - food and beverage services
- waiter/waitress
- waiter/waitress - drive-in restaurant
- waiter/waitress - food and beverage services
- wine server
- wine steward
- wine waiter/waitress
Wages for NOC 65200 by province
Hourly wages from Job Bank for food and beverage servers.
| Province or territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $17.60 | $17.60 | $26.00 |
| British Columbia | $17.85 | $20.00 | $30.00 |
| Alberta | $15.00 | $18.00 | $30.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.35 | $15.35 | $22.50 |
| Manitoba | $16.00 | $16.00 | $23.00 |
| Quebec | $16.10 | $20.00 | $35.00 |
| New Brunswick | $15.65 | $17.00 | $25.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $16.50 | $16.50 | $25.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.00 | $16.50 | $25.00 |
| Canada | $15.00 | $18.50 | $30.00 |
Ontario by region
| Region | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | $17.60 | $19.00 | $25.00 |
| Kingston–Pembroke | $17.60 | $17.60 | $24.00 |
| Muskoka–Kawarthas | $17.60 | $18.00 | $21.00 |
| Toronto | $17.60 | $17.60 | $28.00 |
| Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie | $17.60 | $18.00 | $28.00 |
| Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula | $17.60 | $17.60 | $25.00 |
| London | $17.60 | $18.00 | $24.00 |
| Windsor–Sarnia | $17.60 | $17.60 | $30.00 |
| Stratford–Bruce Peninsula | $17.60 | $17.60 | $40.00 |
| Northeast | $17.60 | $17.60 | $25.00 |
| Northwest | $17.60 | $18.00 | $25.00 |
Source: Job Bank wages, reference period 2023-2024, revised November 19, 2025. Some Ontario figures are below the current general minimum wage of $17.95 per hour (since October 1, 2026); employers must pay at least the minimum wage.
Similar occupations classified elsewhere
These occupations look related but belong to a different NOC unit group.
- Food service supervisors: NOC 62020, Food service supervisors
- Maîtres d'hôtel and hosts/hostesses: NOC 64300, Maîtres d'hôtel and hosts/hostesses
- Restaurant and food service managers: NOC 60030, Restaurant and food service managers
Hiring for this occupation in Ontario?
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Questions about NOC 65200
What is NOC 65200?
NOC 65200 is Food and beverage servers, a unit group in the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0). It belongs to the broad category sales and service occupations and to TEER 5.
What TEER is NOC 65200?
NOC 65200 is TEER 5. TEER 5 generally means: short work demonstration, no formal education required.
What job titles are in NOC 65200?
The unit group includes 38 job titles, for example banquet server, captain waiter/waitress, chief wine steward, cocktail waiter/waitress, food and beverage server, formal service waiter/waitress.
How much do food and beverage servers earn in Canada?
Job Bank reports a national median of $18.50 per hour for food and beverage servers, and $17.60 in Ontario. The highest provincial median is in British Columbia at $20.00 (reference period 2023-2024).
Which occupations are similar to NOC 65200?
Related occupations classified in other unit groups include food service supervisors (NOC 62020); maîtres d'hôtel and hosts/hostesses (NOC 64300); restaurant and food service managers (NOC 60030).
Last updated October 2026. Sources:
- National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0, Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada
- Job Bank wages
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