What Does a Busser Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a busser do?

Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers clear and reset tables, refill water and help servers. The median pay is $33,980 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few days on the job, and employment is projected to grow +5.3% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$33,980
$16.34/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+5.3%
2025–35, faster than average
Openings per year
95,300
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
BLS classification
Time to train
A few days on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
546,600
Employment, 2025

What bussers do

Bussers keep the dining room moving. They clear and reset tables, refill water and bread, help servers run food, restock stations and keep floors clean.

No formal education is required, and training is short. BLS projects faster than average growth.

Typical duties

Clear tables
Reset tables
Refill water
Run food
Restock stations
Clean the dining room
Help servers

Work environment and schedule

Bussers work in restaurant dining rooms.

Schedule: Evenings, weekends and holidays.

A day in the life

4:00 PMSet up stations.
5:00 PMFill water pitchers.
6:00 PMClear and reset tables.
7:30 PMRun food.

See a full day in the life of a busser →

Busser salary

Half of bussers earned more than $33,980 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $21,300 for the lowest 10% to $46,570 for the top 10%.

$21,30010th$33,980Median$46,57090th

Full busser pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a busser

Apply
Learn the floor plan
Learn service basics
Show hustle
Advance

No formal educational credential is required.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a busser →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Table clearing
Table setting
Tray carrying
Food running
Cleaning

People skills

Speed
Teamwork
Courtesy
Awareness

All busser skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Easy entry
Tip share
Faster-than-average growth
Path to server

Cons

Low base pay
On your feet
Fast pace
Late nights

Certifications and licenses

Food handler card: Often required.
Alcohol awareness: Helpful.
Hospitality training: Helpful.
Allergen training: Helpful.

Career path

Busser: Entry.
Food Runner: Run food.
Server: Serve.
Floor Manager: Lead.

Learn the job before day one

Our Busser training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as turn a table in under three minutes and pre-bus without interrupting guests, safety and how to land your first job.

View Busser training Is this career right for me?

Server

Take orders, serve food and drinks and make every meal a good experience.

$35,230
1–2 weeks

Banquet Server

Serve food and drinks at weddings, conferences and catered events.

$35,360
A few days on the job

Dishwasher

Keep the kitchen running by washing dishes, pots and equipment.

$34,810
A few days on the job

Restaurant Host

Greet guests, manage the waitlist and seat diners.

$31,200
A few days on the job

Compare: Busser vs. Server · Busser vs. Banquet Server · Busser vs. Dishwasher · Busser vs. Restaurant Host

Busser FAQ

Do bussers get tips?

Usually a tip share from servers.

Do I need experience?

No.

Is it a path to server?

Yes.

How much does a busser make?

The median annual wage for bussers was $33,980 ($16.34 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $21,300 and the highest 10% earned more than $46,570.

How long does it take to become a busser?

Most people need about A few days on the job of training. No formal educational credential is required.

Do you need a degree to be a busser?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 35-9011 (Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Busser