Research Summary. After comprehensive analysis by the Zippia data science team, we have updated the latest data on busser salaries by state in the United States for 2026:
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Maine has the highest busser salary at $32,849
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Nebraska has the lowest busser salary at $16,227
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The national average salary for bussers is $24,111
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The national hourly pay for bussers is $11.59
You can read more about our specific methodology.
Background
In surveys across various demographics, salary remains the most critical factor for job seekers. Many individuals inquire, “How much do bussers earn in my area?” This question is vital, especially as the job market continues to evolve in 2026, reflecting changes in work dynamics, including the rise of hybrid and remote work.
Many factors influence your expected salary, including location, establishment type, and experience level. The averages we provide offer a baseline for what you might expect to earn as a busser.
The state with the highest pay for bussers after adjustments remains Maine.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the top ten states for busser salaries:
Let’s explore how we assembled this information and provide a comprehensive ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Bussers By State
| Rank | State | Average Busser Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $32,849 | $23,000 | $45,000 |
| 2 | Vermont | $29,728 | $21,000 | $41,000 |
| 3 | Washington | $29,192 | $19,000 | $44,000 |
| 4 | California | $28,769 | $18,000 | $44,000 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $28,444 | $19,000 | $41,000 |
| 6 | Idaho | $28,295 | $18,000 | $42,000 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $27,883 | $19,000 | $40,000 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $27,793 | $18,000 | $41,000 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $26,908 | $18,000 | $38,000 |
| 10 | New York | $26,414 | $17,000 | $39,000 |
| 11 | Oregon | $26,255 | $16,000 | $40,000 |
| 12 | North Dakota | $26,060 | $18,000 | $37,000 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $25,394 | $17,000 | $37,000 |
| 14 | Maryland | $24,800 | $16,000 | $37,000 |
| 15 | Colorado | $24,549 | $16,000 | $36,000 |
| 16 | Delaware | $23,638 | $15,000 | $35,000 |
| 17 | Georgia | $23,362 | $15,000 | $35,000 |
| 18 | Michigan | $23,135 | $15,000 | $33,000 |
| 19 | Arizona | $22,512 | $14,000 | $33,000 |
| 20 | Iowa | $22,427 | $15,000 | $32,000 |
| 21 | West Virginia | $22,140 | $15,000 | $32,000 |
| 22 | Alabama | $22,004 | $14,000 | $33,000 |
| 23 | Kentucky | $21,955 | $14,000 | $32,000 |
| 24 | Hawaii | $21,740 | $18,000 | $25,000 |
| 25 | Texas | $21,723 | $14,000 | $32,000 |
| 26 | Oklahoma | $21,447 | $14,000 | $31,000 |
| 27 | Arkansas | $21,430 | $14,000 | $31,000 |
| 28 | New Mexico | $21,302 | $14,000 | $31,000 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $21,272 | $14,000 | $30,000 |
| 30 | Ohio | $21,141 | $14,000 | $31,000 |
| 31 | Wyoming | $21,136 | $14,000 | $31,000 |
| 32 | Florida | $21,104 | $13,000 | $32,000 |
| 33 | Illinois | $21,013 | $14,000 | $30,000 |
| 34 | Kansas | $20,986 | $14,000 | $30,000 |
| 35 | Missouri | $20,947 | $14,000 | $30,000 |
| 36 | Indiana | $20,915 | $14,000 | $30,000 |
| 37 | Montana | $20,414 | $13,000 | $30,000 |
| 38 | Virginia | $20,388 | $13,000 | $30,000 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $20,362 | $13,000 | $30,000 |
| 40 | Pennsylvania | $20,346 | $13,000 | $30,000 |
| 41 | Minnesota | $19,871 | $13,000 | $28,000 |
| 42 | Alaska | $19,785 | $13,000 | $28,000 |
| 43 | Nevada | $19,361 | $12,000 | $29,000 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $19,280 | $12,000 | $29,000 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $19,255 | $12,000 | $28,000 |
| 46 | Tennessee | $18,718 | $12,000 | $27,000 |
| 47 | Utah | $18,349 | $12,000 | $27,000 |
| 48 | South Dakota | $18,311 | $12,000 | $26,000 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $16,289 | $10,000 | $24,000 |
| 50 | Nebraska | $16,227 | $11,000 | $23,000 |
Methodology: Busser Salary By State
To gain insights into busser pay by state, Zippia has collected data from various authoritative sources, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM. This data is enriched with actual salaries from job postings. Our data science team calculates a weighted average of these figures to establish an average salary for bussers by state.
We ranked each state based on average annual salary data for bussers, identifying the state with the highest salary as the top ranking.
Busser Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for bussers?
The highest-paid state for bussers is Maine with an average salary of $32,849 per year.
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What city pays bussers the most?
Washington, DC pays the most to bussers with an average salary of $31,206 per year.
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What is the worst state for bussers?
The lowest-paying state for bussers is Nebraska with an average salary of $16,227 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
