Welcome to the Travel Forums


Why join TravelBlog?

  • Membership is Free and Easy
  • Your travel questions answered in minutes!
  • Become part of the friendliest online travel community.
Join Now! Join TravelBlog* today and meet thousands of friendly travelers. Don't wait! Join today and make your adventures even more enjoyable.

* Blogging is not required to participate in the forums
Advertisement


Working in Vancouver

Advertisement
How much can you expect to earn?
13 years ago, January 18th 2011 No: 1 Msg: #126781  
Hello everyone,

I'm moving to Van end of Feb and was wondering how much I can expect to earn working in the hospitality industry during 4pm onwards during the week.

Are some places higher earning than others? I ask this because I have no idea since in Aust, I don't need to rely on tips for work. This concept baffles me.

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

S
Reply to this

13 years ago, January 23rd 2011 No: 2 Msg: #127124  
Hi SirenEve -

Well, I can't answer accurately for Vancouver, but since no one else has responded I'll give you what I know.

In the U.S servers make about $2.14/hr which is FAR below minimum wage, and depending on where you are, customers will tip 15-20% of the cost of services (15% is typical for standard service, 18-20% in larger urban areas). When I was a server at a mid-range restaurant, in a non-tourist, middle of the country area, I think I ended up averaging about $20/hr once tips, wages and tip-outs were included. The numbers will differ somewhat in Vancouver, but the concept is the same. Other areas in hospitality differ in that tips usually supplement the income, but don't rely completely upon it.

Tipping in restaurants isn't "optional" (although many international tourists may act like it is). It is customary and if you have a table that doesn't tip, it is not only rude, it is, in many ways, cheating the server.

Yes, your tips will vary depending on where you work so some are higher earning than others. Because your tip is calculated based on the cost of the meal, working in a high-end restaurant will earn you more than a casual diner. Restaurants that cater to a more cosmopolitan or wealthy clientele also tend to do better tip-wise. Business traveler, for instance, tend to tip nicely because they're company will reimburse their costs. Family-friendly restaurants with lots of kids makes you work harder for the money, and then you tend to get less (people will kids tend to tip less). These are all generalizations, but things that come into play. Reply to this

11 years ago, April 20th 2012 No: 3 Msg: #155047  
Great Info Stephanie,
what i would also recommend is getting Cultural Awareness training this would help a lot when it comes to understanding the culture and the way things work in Canada.
[Edited: 2012 Apr 20 17:41 - Jess11:237480 ]
Reply to this

11 years ago, April 20th 2012 No: 4 Msg: #155052  
Hey I lived in Van for a while. What a crazy place.

Working tips you can make crazy money. In a ok restaurant you will make 8$ a hour + tips which a bad day would be about 100$.

In a good restaurant you can expect people to tips 21% of the total bill. I used to make between 250 and 400$ by night in a bar downtown.


You will love this place.

Working in a bar is the fastest way to make cash in BC. You can also check Inventa who are doing promo work around BC. You can enjoy great experience and make cash pretty fast.

BC is way more expensive that any other Canadian provinces.

Nick Reply to this

11 years ago, August 24th 2012 No: 5 Msg: #160297  
Yeah,
Your guidelines will differ based on where you perform so some are greater generating than others. Because your tip is determined depending on the cost of the food, working in a high-end eating place will generate you more than a informal customer. Dining establishments that serve a more sophisticated or rich customers also usually do better tip-wise. Business visitor, for example, usually tip perfectly because they're company will compensate their expenses. Family-friendly restaurants with many children makes you keep working tougher for the money, and then you usually get less. These are all generality, but things that come into perform. Reply to this

Tot: 0.136s; Tpl: 0.007s; cc: 6; qc: 18; dbt: 0.0129s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 2; ; mem: 978.3kb