Post job

Crew person vs food runner/busser

The differences between crew people and food runner/bussers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a food runner/busser has an average salary of $28,577, which is higher than the $27,911 average annual salary of a crew person.

The top three skills for a crew person include cleanliness, food handling and clean environment. The most important skills for a food runner/busser are cleanliness, wine, and excellent guest.

Crew person vs food runner/busser overview

Crew PersonFood Runner/Busser
Yearly salary$27,911$28,577
Hourly rate$13.42$13.74
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs127,605124,680
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 42%
Average age2323
Years of experience--

What does a crew person do?

A crew member is responsible for performing various support tasks in accordance with project or workplace guidelines. Although a crew member's duties vary depending on the industry or company they work for, their responsibilities often include following manager directives, completing physical tasks, keeping records, engaging with clients, and producing progress reports as necessary. In some industries, a crew member handles complaints and concerns, which they must solve promptly and courteously to keep customers satisfied. Additionally, a crew member works in a team setting, which make teamwork and good communication skills important skills for this position.

What does a food runner/busser do?

A food runner or busser is an employee who works at a restaurant to provide quality food services to customers and patrons. Food runners or bussers perform food preparation and ensure that foods are delivered promptly to the appropriate customers' tables. In case the bar server is busy, food runners or bussers may take the drink orders of customers at the bar counter. They also make sure that tables are bussed, cleaned, and set up for the next paying customers.

Crew person vs food runner/busser salary

Crew people and food runner/bussers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Crew PersonFood Runner/Busser
Average salary$27,911$28,577
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $36,000Between $22,000 And $36,000
Highest paying CityBend, ORSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateWashingtonNew Hampshire
Best paying companyStudent Conservation AssociationThe Culinary Institute of America
Best paying industryGovernmentHospitality

Differences between crew person and food runner/busser education

There are a few differences between a crew person and a food runner/busser in terms of educational background:

Crew PersonFood Runner/Busser
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 42%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Crew person vs food runner/busser demographics

Here are the differences between crew people' and food runner/bussers' demographics:

Crew PersonFood Runner/Busser
Average age2323
Gender ratioMale, 60.0% Female, 40.0%Male, 75.4% Female, 24.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between crew person and food runner/busser duties and responsibilities

Crew person example responsibilities.

  • Manage facility/workers, close drive-thru, enter information into computer, make hamburgers.
  • Evaluate the food preparation areas for cleanliness and safety according to company guidelines.
  • Cash handling and handling a POS system.
  • Take special orders and payment using POS registers.
  • Perform cleaning and maintenance tasks for equipment such as filtering/changing oil in fryers and cleaning the milkshake machine.
  • Maintain store cleanliness and arrange displays to maximize effectiveness.
  • Show more

Food runner/busser example responsibilities.

  • Manage event reservations and party requests, inform customers about upcoming events and specials.
  • Educate and experience in fine dining experience, professional etiquette and wine knowledge
  • Operate a POS system, highly experience with cash handling methods.
  • Give assistance to clients at POS to ensure a pleasant shopping experience.
  • Note allergies and special accommodations on receipts to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.
  • Collaborate closely alongside coworkers to ensure customer satisfaction and overall cleanliness of the establishment.
  • Show more

Crew person vs food runner/busser skills

Common crew person skills
  • Cleanliness, 72%
  • Food Handling, 19%
  • Clean Environment, 2%
  • Safety Standards, 2%
  • Drive-Thru, 1%
  • Food Service, 1%
Common food runner/busser skills
  • Cleanliness, 14%
  • Wine, 13%
  • Excellent Guest, 8%
  • Culinary, 6%
  • Water Glasses, 6%
  • Food Delivery, 5%

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs