Food and beverage servers

Nova Scotia

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 occupationsPart-time workers: 53% compared to 18% for all occupations17% 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

Yukon

The employment outlook will be Moderate for food and beverage servers (NOC 65200) in Yukon for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several 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 Whitehorse area.For employees and prospective employees in these occupations in the tourism industry, The Yukon Tourism Training Fund provides grants for short term training.The Government of Yukon forecasts 58 additional vacancies in food support occupations in 2025 or 2026 (Government of Yukon, 2025).Here are some key facts about food and beverage servers in Yukon: Approximately 100 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: 50% compared to 84% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 50% compared to 16% for all occupations15% of food and beverage servers work all year, while 85% 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 31 weeks compared to 44 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 30% compared to 49% for all occupations Women: 70% compared to 51% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 23% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 38% compared to 25% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 19% compared to 20% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 15% compared to 19% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a

New Brunswick

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 occupationsPart-time workers: 60% compared to 16% for all occupations23% 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