Bar back vs buffet attendant

The differences between bar backs and buffet attendants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a buffet attendant has an average salary of $26,138, which is higher than the $25,316 average annual salary of a bar back.

The top three skills for a bar back include BARS, wine and cleanliness. The most important skills for a buffet attendant are cleanliness, food handling, and buffet line.

Bar back vs buffet attendant overview

	Bar Back	Buffet Attendant
Yearly salary	$25,316	$26,138
Hourly rate	$12.17	$12.57
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	56,369	44,657
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 36%	High School Diploma, 45%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

Bar back vs buffet attendant salary

Bar backs and buffet attendants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Bar Back	Buffet Attendant
Average salary	$25,316	$26,138
Salary range	Between $19,000 And $33,000	Between $20,000 And $33,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Saratoga Springs, NY
Highest paying state	New York	Washington
Best paying company	El Camino High School	Hyatt Hotels
Best paying industry	Finance	Hospitality

Differences between bar back and buffet attendant education

There are a few differences between a bar back and a buffet attendant in terms of educational background:

	Bar Back	Buffet Attendant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 36%	High School Diploma, 45%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Bar back vs buffet attendant demographics

Here are the differences between bar backs' and buffet attendants' demographics:

	Bar Back	Buffet Attendant
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0%	Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 6.4% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 7.8% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between bar back and buffet attendant duties and responsibilities

Bar back example responsibilities.

Manage bar revenues/process orders on computerize POS system.
Serve as bar-back to staff bartenders.
Plan out the seating chart and organize the bar reservations.
Bar back and run food for this company in Tallahassee during college.
Clean tables and run food to tables while ensuring a good customer experience.
Charge with replenishing and cleaning keg coolers, liquor pump rooms and CO2 area.

Buffet attendant example responsibilities.

Manage VIP's with personal requirements and assist in their room set up and hospitality experience.
Maintain cleanliness of equipment, tables, utensils, and floors to ensure safety, and sanitation regulations are meet.
Maintain cleanliness and temperature log.
Keep records on individual pet, including daily observations and information activities perform, meals sever, and medication administer.
Lift raw materials, finish products, and pack items, manually or using hoists.

Bar back vs buffet attendant skills

Common bar back skills

BARS, 26%
Wine, 24%
Cleanliness, 21%
Bar-Back, 13%
Excellent Guest, 2%
Fresh Fruit, 2%

Common buffet attendant skills

Cleanliness, 21%
Food Handling, 20%
Buffet Line, 8%
Buffets, 6%
Culinary, 6%
Wine, 6%

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Bar Back vs Buffet Attendant

Updated January 8, 2025

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