The median pay for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers is $33,980 a year ($16.34/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 5.3% through 2035, with about 95,300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
- Commonly called: Busser
- SOC 35-9011
- Food Preparation and Serving Related
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper in four numbers
- Median pay
- $33,980a year, or $16.34/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $21KTop 10% $47K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.3%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.3%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.3% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 95,300546,600 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025546.6K
- Projected 2035575.5K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 546.6K Projected 2035 575.5K - Typical education
- No formal credentialneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school22.4%
- High school74%
- Certificate2.5%
- Associate's1.1%
Highest education held by dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers Segment Value Less than high school 22.4% High school 74% Certificate 2.5% Associate's 1.1%
Also advertised as: Barback, Buffet Attendant, Bus Boy, Bus Person, Busser, Dining Room Attendant.
Pay
How much do bussers make?
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers earn a median of $33,980 a year ($16.34 an hour, or about $2,830 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $21,300 and the top 10% more than $46,570 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is U.S. Virgin Islands, with a median of $51,760. See Busser salary in U.S. Virgin Islands and every other state. By city, pay is highest around Kahului ($57,640 average): salary in every city.
Every dining room and cafeteria attendant and bartender helper in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$33,980
Middle half earn $28,330 to $37,250
- 10th
- $21,300
- 25th
- $28,330
- 75th
- $37,250
- 90th
- $46,570
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $21,300 |
| 25th | $28,330 |
| Median | $33,980 |
| 75th | $37,250 |
| 90th | $46,570 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $33,980
- Median hourly wage
- $16.34/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $34,230
- People employed
- 542,750
Versus all US occupations
At $33,980, Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers earn 33% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $17,000 a year.
Versus food preparation and serving related occupations
Inside the Food Preparation and Serving Related group, where the middle occupation pays $35,360, this is 4% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $46,570 or more while the bottom 10% earn $21,300, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 1% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
U.S. Virgin Islands posts the highest raw median ($51,760), but once local prices are taken into account Hawaii leads at $46,566 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay bussers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1U.S. Virgin Islands | $51,760 | N/A | 70 |
| 2Hawaii | $51,200 | $46,566 | 4,380 |
| 3Washington | $41,420 | $38,706 | 6,160 |
| 4District of Columbia | $39,080 | $35,559 | 4,130 |
| 5Maine | $38,560 | $39,732 | 1,540 |
| 6Maryland | $37,020 | $35,271 | 13,240 |
| 7Oregon | $36,800 | $35,603 | 3,910 |
| 8Colorado | $36,790 | $35,700 | 8,460 |
| 9New York | $36,740 | $34,043 | 41,340 |
| 10Arizona | $36,500 | $36,255 | 13,300 |
Job outlook
Is busser a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.3% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | +5.3% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers to change 5.3% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 28,900 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 95,300 openings are projected each year, 17.4% of the 546,600 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of food and beverage serving and related workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of food and beverage serving and related workers varies by occupation (see table).
As a growing population continues to dine out, purchase take-out meals, or have food delivered, more restaurants, particularly fast food and casual dining restaurants, are expected to open. In response, more food and beverage serving and related workers are expected to be needed.
AI exposure: low
BLS places this occupation in its low relative AI exposure category, among the occupations least exposed to current AI.
Getting in
How to become a busser
Food and beverage serving and related workers typically have no requirements for education to enter the occupation. They receive short-term on-the-job training.
Most states require workers who serve alcoholic beverages, even as an accompaniment to meals, to be at least 18 years old.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
No formal educational credential
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)74%
- Less than a High School Diploma22.4%
- Post-Secondary Certificate2.5%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree1.1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 74% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 22.4% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 2.5% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 1.1% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a busser do?
Facilitate food service. Clean tables; remove dirty dishes; replace soiled table linens; set tables; replenish supply of clean linens, silverware, glassware, and dishes; supply service bar with food; and serve items such as water, condiments, and coffee to patrons.
Food and beverage serving and related workers take and prepare orders, clear tables, and do other tasks associated with providing food and drink to customers.
Day-to-day tasks
- Maintain adequate supplies of items, such as clean linens, silverware, glassware, dishes, or trays.
- Clean up spilled food or drink or broken dishes and remove empty bottles and trash.
- Wipe tables or seats with dampened cloths or replace dirty tablecloths.
- Locate items requested by customers.
- Fill beverage or ice dispensers.
- Clean and polish counters, shelves, walls, furniture, or equipment in food service areas or other areas of restaurants and mop or vacuum floors.
- Set tables with clean linens, condiments, or other supplies.
- Perform serving, cleaning, or stocking duties in establishments, such as cafeterias or dining rooms, to facilitate customer service.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Part-time work is common for food and beverage serving and related workers. Because restaurants and other eating places typically have extended dining hours, work shifts often include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Work may be seasonal. Food and beverage serving and related workers may not work or may have limited hours during certain times of the year. For example, those in school cafeterias may work only during the school year, usually 9 to 10 months.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes are not usually serious.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.0
- Speaking2.9
- Monitoring2.9
- Critical Thinking2.8
- Reading Comprehension2.4
- Active Learning2.1
- Writing2.0
- Learning Strategies2.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 2.9 |
| Monitoring | 2.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 2.8 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.4 |
| Active Learning | 2.1 |
| Writing | 2.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Coordination3.0
- Service Orientation3.0
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9
- Time Management2.3
- Management of Personnel Resources2.3
- Operations Monitoring2.1
- Persuasion2.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.9 |
| Time Management | 2.3 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 2.3 |
| Operations Monitoring | 2.1 |
| Persuasion | 2.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Operating system software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Point of sale POS software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as a busser?
Women make up 44.9% of dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers, close to their 47.1% share of all employed people.
19.5% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs.
The median worker is 27.8 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 44.9%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 27.8All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 19.5%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 256,000BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 44.9% | 47.1% |
| White | 77.2% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 15.0% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 4.7% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 34.2% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 19.5% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 47.3% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a busser?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 1 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic5.6
- Conventional4.6
- Social3.7
- Enterprising2.3
- Artistic1.0
- Investigative1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper
O*NET related occupations
- Food Preparation and Serving Related
- Food Preparation and Serving Related
- Food Preparation and Serving Related
- Food Preparation and Serving Related
- Food Preparation and Serving Related
Host and Hostess, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
$31,200median a year
Most earn $22K to $44K
+3.4%No formal credential - Food Preparation and Serving Related
More food preparation and serving related careers
Median annual pay, with dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers highlighted
- Chef$62,470
- Corporate Executive Chef$62,470
- Food Preparation Worker$35,320
- Server$35,230
- Bartender$34,340
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper$33,980
- Barista$31,200
- Fast Food and Counter Worker$31,200
- Host and Hostess, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$31,200
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Chef | $62,470 |
| Corporate Executive Chef | $62,470 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,320 |
| Server | $35,230 |
| Bartender | $34,340 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $33,980 |
| Barista | $31,200 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $31,200 |
| Host and Hostess, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,200 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper appears on
Questions
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper: frequently asked questions
How much do bussers make?
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers earn a median of $33,980 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 33% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $16.34/hr. The middle half earn between $28,330 and $37,250. The top 10% earn $46,570 or more.
How much do bussers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers is $16.34 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $33,980 annual median works out to about $2,830 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for a busser?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers earn less than $21,300 a year and the bottom quarter less than $28,330 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Which states pay bussers the most?
The highest state medians for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers are U.S. Virgin Islands ($51,760), Hawaii ($51,200), Washington ($41,420) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Hawaii moves to the top at $46,566.
What kind of busser earns the most?
BLS does not split dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $46,570, against a median of $33,980 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are U.S. Virgin Islands ($51,760), Hawaii ($51,200), Washington ($41,420).
Do you need a degree to become a busser?
No. BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry requirement for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as some preparation. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 74.0% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
How long does it take to become a busser?
BLS does not publish a fixed length; it depends on the route. What it does publish: the typical way in for bussers is no formal educational credential. Once hired, BLS lists short-term on-the-job training as typical. O*NET classes the work as needing some preparation.
Is busser a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.3% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 95,300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a busser do?
Food and beverage serving and related workers take and prepare orders, clear tables, and do other tasks associated with providing food and drink to customers. A core O*NET task: maintain adequate supplies of items, such as clean linens, silverware, glassware, dishes, or trays. Employers most often ask for Operating system software, Spreadsheet software, Web page creation and editing software.
Do bussers work 40 hours a week?
Yes, for most. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 7% of dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers usually work more than 40 hours a week, 71% work exactly 40 and 23% work fewer. 55% say their schedule is regular and 30% irregular, and 15% work seasonally. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits a busser?
O*NET scores Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Social interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISFJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
What percentage of bussers are women?
Women make up 44.9% of dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers, close to their 47.1% share of all employed people. 19.5% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs. The median worker is 27.8 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages.