Guide to a Busser Career

Thinking of starting a restaurant-industry career but you don’t have specific skills yet? Working as a Busser is a good entry-level position that will equip you with the skills and experience necessary for success in this industry.

This Busser career guide covers the basic skills you need in this job, what salary to expect, your possible career progression and more.

What Is a Busser?

Restaurant Bussers are sometimes referred to as a Busboy, Busgirl or Table Attendant. They’re responsible for clearing and cleaning tables, resetting these for the next guests and assisting Servers with delivering customers’ orders.

Even though they hold an entry-level role, Bussers are a crucial part of the front-of-house team because they assist the waitstaff in giving customers a good dining experience.

Bussers also perform behind-the-scenes work to keep things running smoothly in the kitchen and other parts of the restaurant.

What Does a Busser Do?

Here are the typical duties of a Busser:

• Clearing dirty plates, glasses and cutlery once diners finished a course or their entire meal
• Cleaning the tables and replenishing items, making sure everything is set for the next customers
• Assisting some Servers by refilling glasses with drinks, preparing condiments and delivering food to the tables if necessary
• Assisting the customers with requests or inquiries in case the Servers are busy
• Maintaining cleanliness in the restaurant by sweeping and mopping floors, taking out the trash and cleaning restrooms
• Stocking up on supplies (like plates, cups, napkins and utensils) to make sure the waitstaff and kitchen staff have everything they need

Top Skills a Busser Should Have

Becoming a Busser allows you to gain experience and build skills that would help advance your career in the food and beverage industry.

These are the essential hard and soft skills to be efficient in your Busser job.

Communication skills

Bussers need to communicate clearly with other restaurant staff to keep things running smoothly. Understanding customer requests is also crucial so you can provide them with a personalized and good dining experience.

Good teamwork

As a Busser, you’ll work closely with other restaurant staff, including Dishwashers, Servers and Cooks. You’ll need to get along well with everyone to make sure you’re providing an impeccable service to the guests.

Food handling

You must learn proper food handling and sanitation to prevent contamination that can cause foodborne illnesses or food poisoning.

Bussers handle dirty dishes all the time, so you must remember to wash your hands often before handling food or ingredients. The customers’ health and safety are the utmost priority, after all.

Multitasking

Bussing requires juggling multiple tasks simultaneously, so you must manage them without sacrificing efficiency and quality.

Learn how and what to prioritize, especially during the restaurant’s peak hours. That way, you can quickly switch focus when circumstances call for it.

Attention to detail

It’s a big turnoff for guests when they arrive at their table and see crumbs and spill; their dining experience is off to a bad start.

As a Busser, it’s your responsibility to make sure the table is spick and span, that the utensils and napkins are correctly placed and the glasses are immediately refilled with water.

Your keen attention to detail will help create a positive experience for diners and encourage repeat business.

Customer service

Although Bussers don’t usually have direct interactions with customers, they still have an impactful role in providing good customer service.

Being attentive and helpful to the guests will go a long way to earning the restaurant positive reviews and getting that promotion you may be eyeing.

Busser Wage and Earning Potential

According to the latest data from Glassdoor, Indeed and Salary.com, the average base wage of Bussers in the United States is $14.44 per hour.

This can be augmented by a percentage they receive from the Servers’ tips, also known as tip share.

Besides tips, a Busser’s earning potential can also vary based on location, experience and the type of establishment.

How To Be a Good Busser

Other than possessing the right skills, there’s an art to becoming a rock star Busser. Follow these tips to help you succeed.

Be Proactive

Always be observant for signs that the customer is done with a course or has finished their meal entirely. Don’t let plates pile up and clear the tables discreetly so the guests won’t feel you’re rushing them.

Be Friendly and Professional

You can be proactive, yes, but always ask the customer first if they’re finished before taking their plate. Then, stack the dishes carefully and without making unnecessary noise. If you see a crumb, quickly wipe the table with a clean cloth.

Anticipate the Customers’ Needs

Learn to read customer cues. For example, they make eye contact to signal that they’re ready to order or they need something. Take note of their body language, quickly make inquiries if they look confused or uncomfortable.

Show Your Team You Have Initiative

Always ask the other staff if they need help with any task no matter how small. Even when the restaurant’s not busy, look for something to do, like refilling napkin dispensers, restocking condiments or polishing cutlery. This shows you’re a hard worker and a team player.

How You Can Start Working as a Busser

Working as a Busser is a great way to break into the restaurant industry. Owners and managers typically don’t require a formal education, they instead focus on skills and professionalism.

However, being a good communicator helps, as well as your enthusiasm and willingness to do the job.

You can look for Busser jobs online or simply walk in and inquire – this shows initiative.

Once you get the Busser job, continue developing key skills so you can quickly become an asset to the business and open doors for future restaurant career opportunities.

What Is the Workplace of a Busser Like?

A Busser’s workplace covers various zones within the restaurant, including the main dining area, kitchen and service stations. They move between these places to clear tables promptly, reset them for new guests and assist with maintaining cleanliness and organization.

Bussers frequently interact with other restaurant staff members to coordinate tasks and relay important information to waitstaff, such as a customer’s dietary restrictions.

The work schedule of a Busser typically revolves around the operational hours and peak times.

Bussers are exposed to food and beverage spills, hot surfaces in the kitchen and potentially slippery floors. As such, they must adhere to safety protocols to ensure a safe environment for themselves, fellow staff members and guests.

Pros and Cons of Being a Busser 

Being a Busser gets your foot in the door if you want a career in the restaurant industry, but it offers both rewards and challenges. 

The Pros: 

• Flexible work schedules, especially for those seeking part-time work 
• Opportunity to gain valuable experience, like learning day-to-day restaurant operations and customer service 
• Interacting with customers and coworkers can improve people and soft skills 
• Strong performance and hard work can lead to higher roles and better pay 

The Cons: 

• Constantly cleaning and moving around the restaurant 
• Dealing with inconsistent schedule and working on weekends and holidays 
• Fast-paced and stressful environment during peak hours 
• Encountering impatient or demanding customers 

Is Busser the Right Role for You?

Take our quiz to see if you have what it takes to be a Busser.