Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Barback
- Bus Boy
- Bus Person
- Busser
Alternate Job Titles
- Banquet Houseperson
- Banquet Set Up Person
- Bar Attendant
- Bar Back
- Barback
- Barmaid
- Bartender Helper
- Beverage Server
- Breakfast Attendant
- Breakfast Bar Attendant
- Buffet Attendant
- Bus Boy
- Bus Person
- Busboy
- Busser
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Run cash registers.
- Serve ice water, coffee, rolls, or butter to patrons.
- Scrape and stack dirty dishes and carry dishes and other tableware to kitchens for cleaning.
- Wipe tables or seats with dampened cloths or replace dirty tablecloths.
- Set tables with clean linens, condiments, or other supplies.
- Greet and seat customers.
- Clean up spilled food or drink or broken dishes and remove empty bottles and trash.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Prepare food, such as sandwiches, for customers.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Trunk Strength
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Stamina
- Manual Dexterity
- Oral Comprehension
- Speech Recognition
- Near Vision
- Extent Flexibility
- Static Strength
- Speech Clarity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Cooperation
- Dependability
- Social Orientation
- Optimism
- Attention to Detail
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Support
- Independence
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Windows
Tools & Equipment
- Blenders
- Carbonated beverage dispensers
- Cash registers
- Chefs' knives
- Commercial coffeemakers
- Commercial dishwashers
- Commercial microwave ovens
- Food processors
- Fruit pitters
- Fruit zesters
- Garbage disposals
- Glass washing machines
- Ice-making machines
- Juice dispensers
- Point of sale POS computer terminals
Work Environment
- Spend Time Walking or Running
- Spend Time Standing
- Contact With Others
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $22,260 |
| Median | $32,670 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $46,380 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 522,010
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $34,460
Fast Food and Counter Workers
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $30,480
Waiters and Waitresses
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $33,760
Food Preparation Workers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $34,220
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $30,380
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.