Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
SOC Code: 35-9011Also known as:
Banquet Houseperson, Banquet Set Up Person, Bar Attendant, Bar Back, Barback
Median Annual Salary
$32,670
+6.3% growth (2024-2034)
100K
Openings/Year
527K
Current Jobs
What Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers 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.
💰 Salary
$32,670
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+6.3%
Faster than average
🎓 Education
No formal educational credential
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
100K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Short-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
527,400
Projected Employment (2034)
560,600
Related Careers
Food preparation workers
$34,220 •
-3.4% growth
Fast food and counter workers
$30,480 •
+6.1% growth
Waiters and waitresses
$33,760 •
-0.7% growth
Food servers, nonrestaurant
$34,460 •
+3.0% growth
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
$30,380 •
-1.5% growth
Top Skills Required
Active Listening
Coordination
Service Orientation
Speaking
Monitoring
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- 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.
- Maintain adequate supplies of items, such as clean linens, silverware, glassware, dishes, or trays.
- Locate items requested by customers.
- Fill beverage or ice dispensers.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
No formal educational credential
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
College Rankings
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers make?
The median annual salary for dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers is $32,670.
What education do dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers need?
Most dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers positions require a no formal educational credential.
Is becoming dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers a good career choice?
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers is projected to see +6.3% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is faster than average for all occupations. With approximately 99,600 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers?
The best colleges offer strong programs in related fields with experienced faculty and industry connections.
What other job titles are similar to dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers?
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers may also be known as: 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, Cafe Helper, Cafeteria Aide, Cafeteria Assistant, Cafeteria Attendant, Cafeteria Helper.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.