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The differences between bar backs and bussers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a bar back has an average salary of $25,316, which is higher than the $24,111 average annual salary of a busser.
The top three skills for a bar back include BARS, wine and cleanliness. The most important skills for a busser are cleanliness, work ethic, and TIP.
| Bar Back | Busser | |
| Yearly salary | $25,316 | $24,111 |
| Hourly rate | $12.17 | $11.59 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 56,369 | 14,989 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A bar back performs various support tasks in restaurants and other dining establishments. They may assist bartenders and other staff by taking orders, serving drinks, monitoring inventories, re-stocking supplies, discarding the trash, and maintaining the cleanliness of different areas. They may also participate in opening and closing the establishment, replenishing items such as napkins and garnishes, conducting regular maintenance checks, and performing basic maintenance repairs as necessary. Moreover, as a bar back, it is essential to maintain an open communication line with co-workers, coordinating to maintain an efficient workflow.
Busser, also known as dining room attendants or bartender helpers, is an entry-level position in the restaurant and dining industry. The bussers help in preparing the dining areas before guests arrive and decorating tables with a set of candles, napkins, linens, flowers, or other ornaments, especially if with a special theme for the day, usually when it's a national celebration or holidays. Also, they assist in cleaning the tables, clearing plates, used utensils, drinkware, and other dishes to the kitchen to be washed, refilling diners' glasses with water, and make the tables ready for the next set of service.
Bar backs and bussers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Bar Back | Busser | |
| Average salary | $25,316 | $24,111 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $33,000 | Between $17,000 And $33,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | Maine |
| Best paying company | El Camino High School | Dell |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a bar back and a busser in terms of educational background:
| Bar Back | Busser | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between bar backs' and bussers' demographics:
| Bar Back | Busser | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0% | Male, 73.1% Female, 26.9% |
| 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, 8.7% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 7.1% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |