Want to know how much Bussers make in the United States? This guide dives into Busser salaries across the country and shows how location, experience and other factors can impact your earnings.
But first, why not compare your current salary against market data using our easy-to-use tool below?
How Much Does a Busser Make in the United States?
According to the most recent data averaged from Glassdoor, Indeed and Salary.com, the average base salary of a Busser (or Busboy/Busgirl) is $2,503.33 a month or $30,040 per year.
What Is the Weekly Wage for Bussers?
The average weekly pay for Bussers in the United States is $577.60.
How Much Do Bussers Make an Hour?
Bussers in the United States make an average wage of $14.44 per hour.
They can choose to work full-time or part-time and usually have a flexible schedule. Working more hours would definitely mean higher earnings per month, and Bussing part-time is a good option for students or those who want to augment their income.
In addition to the base wages, Bussers can supplement their income through tips. However, the amount will depend on the restaurant’s policies regarding tip distribution and local labor laws. Some restaurants implement tip pooling or allow Servers to share a portion of their tips with Bussers, also called a tip out.
Average Busser Salary by State
A Busser’s annual salary varies in different states and is affected by several factors, including the required minimum wage in the state, the cost of living and the types of establishments.
States with higher costs of living, like California and Massachusetts, will likely dictate higher salaries so the workers can earn decent wages that would meet their needs. Major destinations and touristy areas also need more skilled restaurant workers who demand higher rates.
Our interactive map below shows the average Busser salaries in different states.
[Calculated using Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, Salary.com, Talent.com and Indeed data]
This map is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the map to see detailed data.
You can also check the table below to sort average salary by location from highest to lowest or vice versa.
| State | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $ 25,721 |
| Alaska | $ 26,438 |
| Arizona | $ 30,918 |
| Arkansas | $ 27,907 |
| California | $ 33,785 |
| Colorado | $ 31,281 |
| Connecticut | $ 30,902 |
| Delaware | $ 26,100 |
| Florida | $ 25,804 |
| Georgia | $ 23,969 |
| Hawaii | $ 31,024 |
| Idaho | $ 27,398 |
| Illinois | $ 30,646 |
| Indiana | $ 27,864 |
| Iowa | $ 26,508 |
| Kansas | $ 26,476 |
| Kentucky | $ 25,006 |
| Louisiana | $ 27,206 |
| Maine | $ 26,402 |
| Maryland | $ 28,995 |
| Massachusetts | $ 35,120 |
| Michigan | $ 28,837 |
| Minnesota | $ 29,114 |
| Mississippi | $ 22,886 |
| Missouri | $ 26,079 |
| Montana | $ 29,174 |
| Nebraska | $ 28,107 |
| Nevada | $ 25,225 |
| New Hampshire | $ 28,904 |
| New Jersey | $ 33,256 |
| New Mexico | $ 29,376 |
| New York | $ 31,255 |
| North Carolina | $ 24,838 |
| North Dakota | $ 31,010 |
| Ohio | $ 26,213 |
| Oklahoma | $ 23,256 |
| Oregon | $ 33,897 |
| Pennsylvania | $ 27,624 |
| Rhode Island | $ 30,470 |
| South Carolina | $ 26,901 |
| South Dakota | $ 29,165 |
| Tennessee | $ 23,549 |
| Texas | $ 26,097 |
| Utah | $ 26,314 |
| Vermont | $ 32,399 |
| Virginia | $ 28,407 |
| Washington | $ 32,938 |
| West Virginia | $ 27,195 |
| Wisconsin | $ 27,547 |
| Wyoming | $ 29,775 |
| District of Columbia | $ 33,084 |
Busser Salary in Major US Cities
| City | Avg Salary | Avg Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | 32,819 | 15.78 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 28,230 | 13.57 |
| Miami, FL | 25,223 | 12.13 |
| NYC, NY | 33,498 | 16.1 |
Busser Salaries by Years of Experience
Although it’s an entry-level position, a Busser’s salary tends to increase as they gain more experience. There are no definitive ways to gauge how much increase you’ll get per year, but according to Salary.com, the average hourly wage falls between $10 and $13 for those with two or less years of experience.
Bussers with more experience can command higher salaries, as expected. They might also easily move up to supervisory roles because they can be entrusted with more responsibilities beyond the basics.
Moreover, a seasoned Busser will likely understand the restaurant’s workflow and can easily anticipate needs, reducing training time for new hires.
This reliability makes experienced Bussers more attractive to employers, resulting in getting higher base pay and opportunities for yearly raises.
How Much Do Careers Similar to a Busser Get Paid?
Did you know that Bussers in the United States can earn more than Food Runners, but slightly less than Dishwashers? Meanwhile, Waiters/Waitresses command higher salaries over these other three roles.
| Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Food Runner | |
| Dishwasher | |
| Waiter/Waitress |
Labor Laws and Taxes for Bussers
As a Busboy/Busgirl, you need to be aware of the minimum wage, overtime pay, leave and tipping policies in your state so you know you’re getting a fair salary.
We’ve provided the guides below for the major states:
- New York Labor Law Guide
- Illinois Labor Law Guide
- California Labor Law Guide
- Florida Labor Law Guide
You can also view more labor laws across the country in our Labor Law library.
How Much Would a Busser Earn After Taxes?
The salary of a Busser after taxes will vary from state to state, but here are some terms you should know so you can calculate your net salary.
Gross Income: This is your full salary before taxes, which varies based on your experience, location and other factors.
Deductions: This is an amount you can subtract from your gross income before calculating your tax deductions. These may include student loan interest, health insurance premium or charitable contributions. These deductions can typically lower the taxes you have to pay.
Federal Income Tax: The amount deducted will depend on your tax filing status — which will determine your tax bracket. The lower your taxable income, the lower the tax percentage. You can learn more about federal income tax rates and brackets here.
State and Local Taxes: Finally, different states and localities have their own income taxes that will be deducted from your gross pay. So, to calculate your Busser’s salary after tax, just follow these steps:
- Find out your gross income.
- Subtract the deductions from your gross income to get your taxable income.
- Deduct federal, state and local taxes.
- Get the final amount of your salary after tax.
Not sure about the taxes in your location? Don’t worry, you can use our free Paycheck Calculator to easily calculate federal and local taxes in your state.
Total Tax
Net pay
Disclaimer: Please note that this paycheck calculator is designed to provide an estimate and should not be considered as professional tax advice. The actual withholding amounts and taxes owed may vary depending on individual circumstances and other factors. For accurate and personalized tax advice, we recommend consulting with a tax professional.
6 Salary Negotiation Tips for Bussers
Your skills, experience and confidence will increase your chances of negotiating a Busser salary that meets your needs and expectations. Here are some tips to follow during your job-hunting process to achieve your desired pay.
1. Know the Market Rate
Make sure to research the average Busser salary in your area or state based on your experience level before starting negotiations.
2. Check the Restaurant Type
Consider the type of establishment you’re applying to or choose the one you want to work for. Upscale or fine dining restaurants would usually offer higher salaries than casual dining establishments.
3. Emphasize Your Skills and Experience in Your Resume
Employers would often check for experience and skills when scanning a candidate’s resume.
That said, you should emphasize your bussing experience and any additional skills you have, like food running or prep cooking.
This will help you stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of getting higher pay once you get an offer.
4. Highlight the Value You Can Provide
This one is related to the point above. During your interview, give more details on how the restaurant will benefit from your current expertise.
Also, express your eagerness to learn more when you join their team. This shows you’re always keen on improving in your job.
5. Have a Positive Attitude During the Interview
Demonstrate a positive and enthusiastic demeanor, and try to create rapport with the employer or hiring manager during your interview.
This will show interpersonal skills and your ability to connect with people, which employers highly value in anyone working a front-of-house role.
6. Be Flexible When Negotiating but Prepare to Walk Away
When the interviewer asks for your preferred salary, politely but confidently express your desired rate based on your research and experience. However, be prepared to potentially compromise when the offer comes.
If you feel the offer is lower than expected, ask if the compensation package includes benefits like bonuses, flexible scheduling and paid time off. You can also ask whether the restaurant shares tips with the Bussers.
From there, assess how these benefits and tips will impact your overall earnings.
Politely decline the offer if you feel it falls significantly below your expectations.
Beyond Pay: Perks & Benefits for Bussers
Bussing doesn’t typically offer comprehensive benefits like health insurance or retirement plans since it’s an entry-level role. The job is also mostly part-time focused with schedules varying depending on the restaurant’s needs.
There’s also a high turnover rate (given the first two reasons mentioned), making employers hesitant to invest in benefits for employees who might not stay long-term.
However, there are several other perks and benefits that can make bussing an attractive option. These include:
- Flexible hours and schedules
- Free or discounted meals
- Paid time off
- Free training programs
- Potential for career advancement
Highest-Paying Restaurants for Bussers in Miami and NYC
Looking for a Busser job in Miami and New York City? OysterLink has gathered the latest and best-paying restaurants in these areas, so you don’t need to search anywhere else:
Busser Salary FAQs
Not really, especially compared to other restaurant jobs and since it’s an entry-level position.
However, working as a Busser is a good way to start in this industry and offers many opportunities to move on to higher-paying positions like Waiter/Waitress or even Assistant Restaurant Manager.
Bussers don’t normally get tips directly from customers, but they’re allowed to accept when it’s offered.
Some restaurants require the Servers to give a portion of their tips to Bussers and other support staff, while others let Servers decide on the tip amount they wish to share.
Servers and waitstaff directly receive tips from customers so they’ll usually pool all their tips and share a set percentage with other staff members who supported them during their shift.
The typical tip out structure is 70% goes to the Server, 15% goes to the Busser and the other 15% goes to others like Food Runners or non-managerial kitchen staff members.
Busser Salary Methodology
Oyster link uses data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other trusted job search sites to provide up-to-date salary insights. See how we calculate our salary estimates.
