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The differences between bussers and cafeteria workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cafeteria worker has an average salary of $24,465, which is higher than the $24,111 average annual salary of a busser.
The top three skills for a busser include cleanliness, work ethic and TIP. The most important skills for a cafeteria worker are food handling, kitchen equipment, and food preparation.
| Busser | Cafeteria Worker | |
| Yearly salary | $24,111 | $24,465 |
| Hourly rate | $11.59 | $11.76 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 14,989 | 31,802 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 49% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
A cafeteria worker is responsible for taking and processing customer orders, ensuring the correct foods are served, providing them the satisfaction of their dining experience. Cafeteria workers maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the facilities, manage the adequacy of inventory stock supplies, coordinate with suppliers for deliveries, process payments, and help out the customers with their inquiries and concerns. A cafeteria worker should also assist the management in developing marketing techniques to boost revenues and increase profitability.
Bussers and cafeteria workers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Busser | Cafeteria Worker | |
| Average salary | $24,111 | $24,465 |
| Salary range | Between $17,000 And $33,000 | Between $18,000 And $32,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Yuba City, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maine | Washington |
| Best paying company | Dell | Jefferson Elementary School District |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a busser and a cafeteria worker in terms of educational background:
| Busser | Cafeteria Worker | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 49% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between bussers' and cafeteria workers' demographics:
| Busser | Cafeteria Worker | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.1% Female, 26.9% | Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |