What Is a Busser? Responsibilities, Skills, and Pay

Running a restaurant is a team effort, but the spotlight tends to land on chefs and servers, while bussers often go unnoticed. What is a busser? While servers take orders and chefs prepare food, bussers keep the whole show running from behind the scenes. 

Whether you're considering a busser job or looking to hire one for your team, let's break down exactly what they do and why they are the beating heart of every restaurant.

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What does a busser do? 

A busser clears and resets tables, keeps the dining area spotless, replenishes supplies, and supports servers in a restaurant. 

They're the hero who quickly turns tables, stocks service stations, and helps with side work like folding napkins and polishing glassware.

Bussers are the backbone of any restaurant operation, often working quietly but effectively to maintain the dining room's flow. While customers don't tend to notice bussers, they'll definitely notice a dirty dining table or long waits for orders when there isn't a busser around to help.

Busser vs. waiter: What’s the difference?

Considering a restaurant job? If you're deciding between bussing and serving, here's how they compare:

Main role

Bussers 

• Focus on table maintenance and restaurant cleanliness
• Clear dishes
• Wipe down tables
• Reset place settings
• Keep dining areas tidy

Waiters

• Take orders
• Serve food and drinks
• Answer menu questions
• Process payments
• Act as the main point of contact for customers throughout their dining experience

Customer interaction

Bussers 

• Limited customer interaction while clearing plates or refilling water glasses
• Work mostly behind the scenes

Waiters 

• Engage extensively with customers, building rapport, making recommendations, addressing concerns
• Drives the overall dining experience

Pay structure

Bussers 

• Earns hourly wages plus a percentage of tips shared by servers (tip pooling)
• Base pay usually starts near minimum wage

Waiters

• Earns a lower hourly wage, but receives direct tips from customers
• Potentially has higher overall earnings than bussers, especially in busy or upscale establishments

Job difficulty

Bussers 

• Physically demanding work with constant movement and lifting
• Requires speed and stamina but less multitasking and customer service pressure

Waiters 

• Juggles multiple tables, complex orders, customer service, and accurate payment processing 
• Needs strong memory, multitasking abilities, and interpersonal skills under pressure

Advancement

Bussers 

• Advance to server positions after learning restaurant operations
• It's a common entry point for restaurant careers

Waiters 

• Advance to lead server, bartender, floor manager, or other supervisory roles
• Promotion tends to require experience and leadership capabilities

Is being a busser an easy job?

Being a busser isn't easy, but it's straightforward. The job involves constant physical activity and an efficient mindset during rush periods. The challenges of the busser position come from pace and physical demands, not complexity.

Physical demands

Bussing requires strength and endurance. You'll spend entire shifts on your feet, carrying heavy trays of dishes, moving quickly between tables, and sometimes helping with heavy lifting in other areas of the restaurant.

Fast-paced environment

During peak hours, you'll clear and reset tables quickly to minimize wait times. This requires working efficiently without sacrificing quality or safety, especially when the restaurant is at capacity.

Teamwork required

Bussers work closely with servers, hosts, and kitchen staff. You'll need to anticipate needs, communicate effectively, and adapt to changing priorities throughout your shift.

Entry-level friendly

Despite the challenges, bussing is accessible for most people without prior experience. Restaurants typically provide training, making it an excellent entry point into the food service industry.

Do bussers get tips? How much do they make?

Yes, bussers typically receive tips through "tip pooling" or "tip out" arrangements, where servers share a percentage of their tips with support staff. This is on top of their hourly wage.

Average busser pay

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income in 2023 for food and beverage serving and related workers (including bussers) is approximately $29,710, though this varies significantly by location, establishment type, and actual job title. 

Based on more recent data (2024-2025), the average busser in the US earns between $11-13 per hour including tips. Base hourly wages typically range from $10 to $13, with tips adding $2-5 per hour depending on the restaurant.

According to multiple sources:

• Salary.com reports the bottom 10% of bussers earn $10 an hour while the top 10% earn $13 an hour, with an average of $12/hour. Working full-time, this averages to $23,864 annually.
• Indeed reports an average hourly wage of $14.24 for bussers, with rates ranging from $9.28 at the lower end to $21.85 at the higher end.
• Zippia states the national average for a busser's salary is $24,111 annually ($11.59 per hour), with a range between $17,000 and $33,000.

Most bussers earn between $20,000 and $30,000 annually when working full-time, with the national average around $24,500.

Factors affecting busser pay

Several factors influence how much you can earn as a busser:

• Restaurant type: Upscale dining establishments generally offer higher wages and better tips than casual restaurants.
• Location: Urban areas and regions with higher costs of living typically pay more. According to data from Talent.com (which reports a national average of $26,000):
  
  • Highest-paying states: Vermont ($35,100), Washington ($34,653), Hawaii ($33,280), and California ($33,280) offer the best average busser salaries.
  • Mid-range states: States like Illinois ($30,071), Colorado ($29,224), and New York ($28,115) pay near the national average.
  • Lower-paying states: Nevada ($23,400), Mississippi ($23,400), and New Mexico ($24,375) have lower average salaries.
• Shift timing: Working dinner shifts, weekends, and holidays often results in higher tips than breakfast or lunch shifts.
• Tip structure: How the restaurant handles tip distribution significantly impacts earnings.
• Experience: Experienced bussers who work efficiently may earn more through merit raises.

How to become a busser & job requirements

Becoming a busser is relatively straightforward compared to many other jobs. If you're wondering about the typical busser job description and requirements, here's what you need to know.

Basic requirements to be a busser

• Age: Most restaurants require bussers to be at least 16 years old, though some may hire at 14 or 15 with work permits.
• Education: No formal education is required. A high school diploma or GED can be helpful but isn't mandatory.
• Experience: No prior experience necessary. Bussing is an entry-level position with on-the-job training covering cleaning procedures, customer service basics, and safety protocols.
• Physical capability: You need the ability to stand for long periods, lift at least 25-30 pounds, and move quickly in tight spaces.
• Availability: Restaurants need coverage during peak hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Appearance: Clean, neat appearance with proper hygiene is essential.
• Work authorization: Legal permission to work in the US.

While not required, a food safety certification (such as from the National Restaurant Association) can give you an advantage when applying.

How to get a busser job

1. Prepare a basic resume: Include any work history, school activities, or volunteer experience that demonstrates reliability and work ethic.
2. Look for openings: Check restaurant websites, job boards, or simply walk in during off-peak hours (2–4 pm) to ask about opportunities.
3. Dress professionally for applications and interviews: Clean, neat clothing shows you understand professional environments.
4. Highlight relevant skills: Emphasize teamwork, physical stamina, attention to detail, ability to multitask, and willingness to learn.
5. Be ready for a brief interview: Expect questions about your ability to work in a team, handle busy environments, and provide good customer service.
6. Be flexible with scheduling: Offering availability during busy times (weekends, evenings) makes you more attractive to employers.
7. Follow up: After applying, a polite follow-up call or visit shows initiative and genuine interest.

Many restaurants hire bussers on the spot or with barely any interview processes, especially during busy seasons or when opening new locations.

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FAQs

What is the role of a busser? 

A busser maintains restaurant cleanliness and flow by clearing, cleaning, and resetting tables, replenishing supplies, and supporting servers. 

The standard busser job description includes preparing tables quickly for new guests and maintaining the overall appearance and function of the dining area.

What are the required skills of a busser?

Essential busser skills include:

• Physical stamina and strength to work on your feet for extended periods.
• Attention to detail when cleaning and setting tables.
• Time management and efficiency during rush periods.
• Basic customer service skills and professional demeanor.
• Teamwork and communication with servers and kitchen staff.
• Ability to multitask and work under pressure.
• Organization and cleanliness standards.
• Initiative and self-motivation.

These skills help bussers maintain the fast pace of restaurant service while ensuring quality and cleanliness standards.

What is career growth like for a busser? What comes after being a busser?

Bussing is often a stepping stone to other restaurant positions. Common career paths include:

• Server or waiter
• Bartender
• Host or hostess
• Barback
• Kitchen staff
• Floor manager
• Assistant manager

Many restaurant managers and owners started as bussers, learning the business from the ground up. The hands-on experience provides valuable insight into restaurant operations that benefits more advanced positions.

Can a busser become a server?

Yes, becoming a server is the most common next step for bussers. Working as a busser gives you insider knowledge of restaurant operations, menu items, and service standards that makes the transition to serving natural.

Most restaurants prefer promoting from within, as bussers already understand the establishment's pace, procedures, and expectations. To advance to serving: demonstrate reliability, learn the menu thoroughly, observe experienced servers, and express your interest in advancement to management.

Some restaurants have formal training programs for this transition, while others offer shadowing opportunities before a full promotion. The timeline varies but typically ranges from 3–6 months of consistent performance as a busser before advancement opportunities arise.