Busser vs room service server

The differences between bussers 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 $24,111 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 room service server are guest rooms, beverage orders, and in-room.

Busser vs room service server overview

	Busser	Room Service Server
Yearly salary	$24,111	$26,717
Hourly rate	$11.59	$12.84
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	14,989	144,551
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

What does a busser do?

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.

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.

Busser vs room service server salary

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

	Busser	Room Service Server
Average salary	$24,111	$26,717
Salary range	Between $17,000 And $33,000	Between $18,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Portland, ME
Highest paying state	Maine	Maine
Best paying company	Dell	Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Hospitality

Differences between busser and room service server education

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

	Busser	Room Service Server
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Busser vs room service server demographics

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

	Busser	Room Service Server
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 73.1% Female, 26.9%	Male, 51.8% Female, 48.2%
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, 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 busser and room service server duties and responsibilities

Busser example responsibilities.

Cross-Train in all kitchen culinary positions including broiler, saut, banquets and room service food production.
Perform food preparation and serving duties, such as carving meat, preparing flambe dishes, or serving wine and liquor.
Schedule reservations and place and deliver room service orders.
Maintain both FOH and BOH duties in a fast-pace dining establishment.
Clean the dirty tables and make sure the restaurant are in tip top shape and look good.
Submit food and beverage orders to kitchen staff utilizing a POS register to tabulate and itemize orders.

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

Busser vs room service server skills

Common busser skills

Cleanliness, 24%
Work Ethic, 9%
TIP, 8%
Food Handling, 5%
Dishwashers, 5%
Bus Tables, 4%

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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Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Busser
Busser vs Room Service Server

Updated January 8, 2025

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