Bus boy vs room service server

The differences between bus boys and room service servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a room service server has an average salary of $26,717, which is higher than the $24,432 average annual salary of a bus boy.

The top three skills for a bus boy include customer service, clean tables and dishwashers. The most important skills for a room service server are guest rooms, beverage orders, and in-room.

Bus boy vs room service server overview

	Bus Boy	Room Service Server
Yearly salary	$24,432	$26,717
Hourly rate	$11.75	$12.84
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	17,550	144,551
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

What does a bus boy do?

The job of busboys is to assist other staff members at a restaurant by doing varied tasks. These include greeting customers, cleaning and resetting tables, and removing dishes after customers leave. Other tasks include cleaning furniture, fixtures, and kitchen equipment, and tidying up any spills and mopping the floors. Busboys are also responsible for ensuring the availability of clean dining materials such as flatware and glasses. The requirements needed for this role may include a high school diploma, previous work experience, and excellent communication and customer service skills.

What does a room service server do?

A room service server is an employee employed in a hotel or lodging to provide various services to the room occupants in the hotel. They often deliver ordered food, drinks, or movies to the occupants' rooms. Their duties and responsibilities include delivery of ordered foods or drinks, taking orders, collecting dirty dishes from rooms, and maintaining supplies and orders.

Bus boy vs room service server salary

Bus boys and room service servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Bus Boy	Room Service Server
Average salary	$24,432	$26,717
Salary range	Between $16,000 And $36,000	Between $18,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Allen, TX	Portland, ME
Highest paying state	Maine	Maine
Best paying company	Las Fajitas Restaurant	Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Hospitality

Differences between bus boy and room service server education

There are a few differences between a bus boy and a room service server in terms of educational background:

	Bus Boy	Room Service Server
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Bus boy vs room service server demographics

Here are the differences between bus boys' and room service servers' demographics:

	Bus Boy	Room Service Server
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0%	Male, 51.8% Female, 48.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 7.1% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%	Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 7.4% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between bus boy and room service server duties and responsibilities

Bus boy example responsibilities.

Record amount and types of special food items serve to patients.
Prepare and serve meals on a daily basis, noting any allergies or other dietary issues.
Work in a fast pace demanding environment providing assistance in the hospital cafeteria with food preparation for patients and visitors.
Be instrumental in a positive workplace environment with professional appearance and cleanliness, punctuality, and uplifting attitude towards personnel and staff
General dishwasher duties, some basic prep work, and help with the general nightly closing duties throughout the kitchen.
Take all dirty plates and utensils to the dishwasher, and bring out clean ones to the front of the lobby.

Room service server example responsibilities.

Clean and defrost mini bars regularly.
Train, maintain and enforce all Marriott service standards using use records, menus and appropriate reference materials.
Perform various financial activities such as cash and credit card processing, daily revenue reports, bank deposits, and payroll.
Assist in weekly payroll and scheduling responsibilities.
Establish a positive relationship with co-workers and managers through a solid work ethic, positive attitude, punctuality and dependability.
Build relationships with guests -help prepare for restaurant opening -Maintain restaurant at all times -Persuasive- positive use of upselling techniques

Bus boy vs room service server skills

Common bus boy skills

Customer Service, 34%
Clean Tables, 17%
Dishwashers, 13%
Bus Tables, 10%
Clean Linen, 4%
Ice Water, 3%

Common room service server skills

Guest Rooms, 8%
Beverage Orders, 8%
In-Room, 6%
Cash Handling, 6%
Guest Service, 6%
Cleanliness, 6%

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Bus Boy vs Room Service Server

Updated January 8, 2025

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