Dallas Living-Wage Comparison: Can Busser Salaries Keep Up?

Dallas Living-Wage Comparison: Busser Salaries Key Takeaways

• The average hourly wage for a busser in Dallas is $14.19, translating to about $29,515 annually.
• The living wage for a single adult in Dallas County is $22.06 per hour, or approximately $45,885 annually.
• Dallas’s minimum wage increased to $14 per hour in 2025, an improvement but still below the living wage.

Understanding how busser salaries stack up against the living wage in Dallas reveals the financial challenges faced by workers in this role.

This article explores the wage gap and what it means for bussers trying to make ends meet in Dallas, Texas.

1. Current Busser Salaries in Dallas

According to Indeed.com, bussers in Dallas earn an average hourly wage of $14.19. Assuming full-time employment at 40 hours per week, this equates to an annual salary of roughly $29,515.

This figure reflects typical compensation for bussers across various establishments in Dallas, ranging from casual dining to higher-end restaurants.

While this wage has improved over time, it remains important to assess how it compares to the local cost of living and wage standards.

For a more detailed understanding, check out the busser job description to see the responsibilities and requirements of this role.

2. Dallas Living Wage Basics and Calculations

The living wage is defined as the minimum income necessary for an individual or family to meet their basic needs such as housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and other essentials.

For a single adult in Dallas County, the living wage is currently estimated at $22.06 per hour, totaling about $45,885 annually. This estimate considers local expenses and reflects a standard of financial stability.

When dependents enter the picture, such as a single adult supporting one child, the living wage increases substantially. For this scenario, the living wage rises to $36.79 per hour, or approximately $76,523 per year.

Why Living Wage Is Significantly Higher Than Minimum Wage

Texas historically followed the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, which is far below the local living wage calculations.

To address cost-of-living concerns, Dallas raised its minimum wage to $14 per hour in 2025. This increase is substantial but still insufficient to meet living wage standards.

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3. Comparison of Busser Salaries to Dallas Living Wage

When comparing busser salaries to living wage benchmarks, a clear wage gap emerges.

• For a single adult, the average busser salary of $14.19/hour is about $7.87 below the living wage rate. Annually, this means bussers earn around $16,370 less than needed for basic expenses.
• For a single adult with one child, the salary gap widens significantly, with bussers earning nearly $47,000 less per year than the living wage target.

These shortfalls indicate that despite earning more than the previous minimum wage, bussers in Dallas may struggle to afford stable housing, healthcare, and other living costs.

Many bussers rely on supplemental income, sharing living arrangements, or public assistance programs to bridge this financial gap.

Employers might find helpful insights in the best restaurants for bussers to make money spotlight when planning wage strategies or retention efforts.

4. Implications of the Wage Gap for Bussers in Dallas

The wage gap presents real-life challenges for bussers trying to meet day-to-day living expenses.

Financial stress can impact job performance, health, and overall quality of life, creating a cycle difficult to break without increased wages or support.

Businesses also face challenges in retaining bussers at these wage levels, potentially leading to higher turnover and staffing shortages.

One strategy that restaurants might consider is implementing strategies to reduce restaurant employee turnover, which covers useful approaches to keep staff motivated and loyal.

Possible Strategies to Improve Busser Earnings

• Implementing tip pooling or service charges that fairly share earnings among staff.
• Offering wage supplements or bonuses aligned with cost-of-living increases.
• Advocating for higher minimum wage ordinances at the city or state level.
• Providing opportunities for advancement and training to move into higher-paid roles. For example, bussers can explore career paths like cook or kitchen helper roles by reviewing how to become a cook.

5. Conclusion: Dallas Busser Salaries and Living Wage Challenges

The current average salary for bussers in Dallas, $14.19/hour, represents a notable improvement over the historic minimum wage but still falls short of the living wage needed for stable, independent living.

The wage gap is particularly pronounced for bussers supporting children, reflecting broader affordability challenges in urban Texas.

Increasing the minimum wage, exploring supplementary earnings options like tips, and advocating for better employee support programs are critical steps in closing this gap.

Understanding these dynamics is essential for workers, employers, and policymakers aiming to improve financial security for Dallas’s bussers and other low-wage workers.

For bussers seeking to prepare for career advancement, reviewing the busser interview questions can be a valuable resource to improve job readiness.

6. Useful Resources for Dallas Workers and Employers

• U.S. Department of Labor – Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for federal wage regulations and worker protections.
• Texas Workforce Commission for state employment resources and wage information.
• City of Dallas Official Website for local ordinances, minimum wage updates, and employment programs.

Employers can also benefit from the restaurant staff hiring spotlight for tips on effective recruitment practices tailored to hospitality roles like bussers.