NOC 65200: Food and beverage servers

The employment outlook will be Good for food and beverage servers (NOC 65200) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

The labour shortages that plagued the food services sector in recent years has eased considerably for some front-of-house positions like servers. Even so, the large size of this occupation and regular turnover mean that opportunities occur regularly in most communities in the province.

Prospects are good for individuals looking for work as a server, however some conditions of employment may be a deterrent to applicants, such as long or irregular hours and seasonality.

Here are some key facts about food and beverage servers in Nova Scotia:

Approximately 4,000 people work in this occupation.

Food and beverage servers mainly work in the following sectors:

Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 86%

Accommodation services (NAICS 721): 8%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 47% compared to 82% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 53% compared to 18% for all occupations

17% of food and beverage servers work all year, while 83% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 30 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of food and beverage servers are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 21% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: 79% compared to 49% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 10% compared to 10% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 49% compared to 27% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 15% compared to 22% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 19% compared to 20% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for food and beverage servers (NOC 65200) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment decline will lead to the loss of a few positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities may vary depending on the time of the year.

This is a large occupation characterized by a younger workforce, relatively low requirements for qualification, low wages, and high rates of turnover. Job vacancy rates in the provincial food and beverage services industry have been higher than they were prior to the pandemic, a sign that this industry is having greater difficulty finding workers. Those willing to work a flexible schedule will increase their job potential.

Here are some key facts about food and beverage servers in Newfoundland and Labrador:

Approximately 1,950 people work in this occupation.

Food and beverage servers mainly work in the following sectors:

Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 80%

Accommodation services (NAICS 721): 17%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 42% compared to 83% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 57% compared to 17% for all occupations

23% of food and beverage servers work all year, while 77% work only part of the year, compared to 56% and 43% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 30 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of food and beverage servers are self-employed compared to an average of 8% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 21% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: 79% compared to 49% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 11% compared to 11% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 55% compared to 27% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 7% compared to 17% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 12% compared to 23% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 13% compared to 14% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for food and beverage servers (NOC 65200) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities tend to be more favourable during the summer months.

The demand for workers in this occupation is influenced by economic conditions and business activity. Prince Edward Island’s economy is projected to expand at a modest pace over the forecast horizon, constrained by slower population growth and ongoing trade uncertainties. Declining interest rates are expected to further support domestic spending and housing demand. However, the federal reduction in immigration targets has led to a marked decline in international arrivals, a slowdown that is anticipated to moderate consumer demand and labour force growth. Over the longer term, reduced immigration presents a key risk to the province’s economic outlook.

There were considerable gains in tourist traffic in 2025 as well as another strong cruise ship season which generated significant economic spin-offs in the sector. Looking forward, the Island’s tourism sector is expected to maintain its momentum thanks in part to a new five-year growth strategy introduced in 2024. The plan aims to expand tourism activity in the province and generate more visitor traffic during the shoulder and winter seasons. This in turn should contribute to improved job prospects over the forecast period.



Food and beverage servers may be required to work various shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays, so flexibility is an asset. This occupation is a good source of employment opportunities for students during the busy tourist season. There are recruitment problems in this occupation. While it is relatively easy to access this occupation, many servers leave it as soon as they find employment that offers better working conditions. The traditional pool of candidates is shrinking owing to wages that are less and less competitive in a growing labour market and the demographic decline of the number of young people.

Here are some key facts about food and beverage servers in Prince Edward Island:

Approximately 750 people work in this occupation.

Food and beverage servers mainly work in the following sectors:

Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 87%

Accommodation services (NAICS 721): 9%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 39% compared to 84% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 61% compared to 16% for all occupations

26% of food and beverage servers work all year, while 74% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 31 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of food and beverage servers are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 20% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: 80% compared to 49% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 18% compared to 11% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 45% compared to 28% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 24% compared to 25% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 8% compared to 17% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for food and beverage servers (NOC 65200) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

There is some seasonality in this occupation with job prospects better during the spring to summer months. Food and beverage servers may be required to work various shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays; so, flexibility is an asset. This occupation is a source of employment opportunities for students during the summer tourism season. There is also a heavy reliance on tips and gratuities for this occupation.

Servers must possess sufficient product knowledge as to be able to advise on menu selections and to make recommendations regarding food and beverage pairings. Depending on the region, some roles may require a level of comfort with both French and English.

Candidates must typically complete food safety and responsible beverage service courses.

Here are some key facts about food and beverage servers in New Brunswick:

Approximately 2,050 people work in this occupation.

Food and beverage servers mainly work in the following sectors:

Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 89%

Accommodation services (NAICS 721): 7%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 40% compared to 84% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 60% compared to 16% for all occupations

23% of food and beverage servers work all year, while 77% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 32 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 17% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 83% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 17% compared to 11% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 51% compared to 30% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 6% compared to 12% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 13% compared to 23% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 12% compared to 16% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for food and beverage servers (NOC 65200) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

Demand for this occupation is driven by consumer spending, tourism, and high employee turnover.

Key trends in this occupation include automation of routine tasks using self-service kiosks, QR coded menus, and mobile ordering apps. Artificial intelligence (AI) is used to analyze customer data to provide personalized recommendations and offers. Hybrid experiences offer dining in, online ordering, and third-party delivery.

Here are some key facts about food and beverage servers in Manitoba:

Approximately 6,100 people work in this occupation.

Food and beverage servers mainly work in the following sectors:

Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 84%

Accommodation services (NAICS 721): 7%

Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 7%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 26% compared to 81% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 74% compared to 19% for all occupations

22% of food and beverage servers work all year, while 78% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 30 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of food and beverage servers are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 18% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: 82% compared to 47% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 17% compared to 12% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 59% compared to 31% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 6% compared to 17% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 11% compared to 20% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for food and beverage servers (NOC 65200) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

Labour shortages and above average turnover rates may improve job opportunities for this occupation in the near term.

The use of food delivery services may negatively affect the number of people going to local establishments.

With many restaurants typically sourcing 30 to 35 per cent of their products from the States, tariffs may impact already thin profit margins of restaurant operators and limit hiring opportunities for this occupation.

Here are some key facts about food and beverage servers in Saskatchewan:

Approximately 4,850 people work in this occupation.

Food and beverage servers mainly work in the following sectors:

Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 83%

Accommodation services (NAICS 721): 8%

Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 7%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 37% compared to 81% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 63% compared to 19% for all occupations

26% of food and beverage servers work all year, while 74% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 32 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of food and beverage servers are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 18% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: 82% compared to 47% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 17% compared to 11% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 56% compared to 33% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 6% compared to 15% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 8% compared to 17% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 12% compared to 18% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for food and beverage servers (NOC 65200) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

Alberta’s restaurant and hospitality industry continues to expand, particularly in high-traffic areas like Calgary, Edmonton, Banff, and Jasper. As tourism rebounds and dining activity increases, food and beverage servers are in steady demand across restaurants, hotels, resorts, and event venues. These roles are often entry-level and experience high turnover, which creates frequent job openings even when overall employment growth is modest.

Here are some key facts about food and beverage servers in Alberta:

Approximately 23,600 people work in this occupation.

Food and beverage servers mainly work in the following sectors:

Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 85%

Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 7%

Accommodation services (NAICS 721): 7%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 37% compared to 80% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 63% compared to 20% for all occupations

18% of food and beverage servers work all year, while 82% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 29 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of food and beverage servers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 19% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: 81% compared to 47% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 12% compared to 10% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 55% compared to 28% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 5% compared to 13% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 14% compared to 19% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 13% compared to 21% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for food and beverage servers (NOC 65200) in Northwest Territories for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

Most job opportunities in this occupation are in the Yellowknife area.

Employers in Yellowknife have struggled to fill vacancies in this occupation in 2025.

From 2021-2040, 115 job openings are forecast for food and beverage servers in the Northwest Territories (

Government of Northwest Territories, May 2023)

.

Here are some key facts about food and beverage servers in Northwest Territories:

Approximately 50 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.

Food and beverage servers mainly work in the following sectors:

Tourism & Culture (NAICS 51, 71-72): more than 95%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 44% compared to 88% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 56% compared to 12% for all occupations

44% of food and beverage servers work all year, while 56% work only part of the year, compared to 71% and 28% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 39 weeks compared to 44 weeks for all occupations.

17% of food and beverage servers are self-employed compared to an average of 7% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 18% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 82% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 31% compared to 17% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 44% compared to 26% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a

bachelor's degree: n/a

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a

The employment outlook will be Limited for food and beverage servers (NOC 65200) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

Restaurants, particularly full-service, bars, and banquet halls

Hotels, motels and resorts

Sports and recreational establishments such as golf courses

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

In general, employee turnover may create job openings, as this is an entry-level occupation with a younger workforce

However, consumer spending in restaurants is expected to be constrained due to economic uncertainty

There could also be a fair amount of competition for jobs given weaker hiring activities by employers

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

Sommeliers or wine stewards may require courses and experience in wine selection

Smart Serve certification is required for employees that serve, deliver, or handle alcohol in Ontario

Here are some key facts about food and beverage servers in Ontario:

Approximately 63,400 people work in this occupation.

Food and beverage servers mainly work in the following sectors:

Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 87%

Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 5%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 38% compared to 81% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 62% compared to 19% for all occupations

16% of food and beverage servers work all year, while 84% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 25 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of food and beverage servers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 25% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 75% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 13% compared to 9% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 47% compared to 25% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 18% compared to 22% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 16% compared to 24% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Limited for food and beverage servers (NOC 65200) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Consumer spending and behavior influence establishments and services.

The food services industry is characterized by entry-level positions and high employee turnover.

Key trends for this occupation include contactless ordering and payment, artificial intelligence (AI) used to analyze data for and inventory management and waste reduction, kitchen automation for repetitive tasks, and delivery-centred ghost kitchens.

Here are some key facts about food and beverage servers in British Columbia:

Approximately 30,900 people work in this occupation.

Food and beverage servers mainly work in the following sectors:

Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 88%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 36% compared to 78% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 64% compared to 22% for all occupations

21% of food and beverage servers work all year, while 79% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 31 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of food and beverage servers are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 21% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 79% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 13% compared to 8% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 52% compared to 28% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 6% compared to 13% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 14% compared to 17% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 14% compared to 22% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Very limited for food and beverage servers (NOC 65200) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Employment in this occupation depends on trends that affect the food services sector. This industry is characterized by a highly competitive business environment and low profit margins, which lead to significant firm turnover.

The recent population growth, driven by immigration, and an improved tourism outlook are contributing to expanding the food services clientele. However, in the context of the rising cost of living and economic uncertainty, consumers tend to reduce non-essential spending and favour more affordable options, such as take-out meals or limited-service counters. This development could curb demand for full-service restaurants and drinking places, where most jobs related to this occupation are concentrated.

However, the increasing integration of technologies, such as kiosks, automated management systems, and robot assistants, are redefining methods of working. Without replacing employees, these tools reduce physical tasks and improve efficiency, which change the required skills, particularly in customer service and technological adaptability.

Here are some key facts about food and beverage servers in Quebec:

Approximately 35,600 people work in this occupation.

Food and beverage servers mainly work in the following sectors:

Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 90%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 45% compared to 82% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 55% compared to 18% for all occupations

20% of food and beverage servers work all year, while 80% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 28 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of food and beverage servers are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 27% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 73% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 20% compared to 12% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 34% compared to 19% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 13% compared to 19% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 24% compared to 22% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 7% compared to 17% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations

An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.