How To Become A Runner: What It Is and Career Path

What is a runner and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Although runners do not spend their time on the clock actually running, speed is still of the essence for this position. Runners expedite workflow in their place of business by taking on various menial tasks, allowing other workers to handle more important tasks. They can communicate messages between different staff, manage inventory, or answer the phone.

The daily tasks of a runner depend on the industry that they work in, since runners can do many different jobs. Production runners work for producers and handle menial tasks that help a film production run smoothly, such as copying scripts. Food runners help waiters and bartenders in restaurants by taking orders and setting up tables. Casino floor runners collect bets and assist dealers.

Qualifications for becoming a runner depend on the industry they are in. Production runners may need a bachelor's degree from film school, while casino floor runners only need a high school diploma. Runners usually need a few years of experience providing efficient, satisfactory service in their industry, whether that means working as a waiter or on the casino floor. They earn an average salary of $30,372 a year.

ScoreRunnerUS Average

Salary

2.6

Avg. Salary $33,320

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.3

Growth rate 17%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 2.17%

Asian 13.32%

Black or African American 9.23%

Hispanic or Latino 14.59%

Unknown 4.31%

White 56.37%

Gender

female 36.27%

male 63.73%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

5.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.4

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a runner

Explore runner education requirements

Most common runner degrees

Bachelor's

39.8 %

High School Diploma

32.5 %

Associate

13.6 %

Start to develop specific runner skills

Skills	Percentages
Food Service	18.09%
Basic Math	9.76%
Math	8.50%
Customer Service	7.73%
Cleanliness	6.46%

Complete relevant runner training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New runners learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a runner based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real runner resumes.

Research runner duties and responsibilities

Manage tickets for kitchen, run food and intereact with customers, and bus tables
Manage expediter window paying close attention to garnishes and presentation.
Operate within compliance of USDA and QA program standards
Clean tables & floor area also set silver ware, plates, & wine glasses in correct fine dining table positions.

Prepare your runner resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your runner resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a runner resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable runner resume templates

Build a professional runner resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your runner resume.