Los Angeles Salary Guide for Busser: Average Pay, Tips and Benefits

Los Angeles Salary Guide for Busser: Key Takeaways

• The average hourly wage for a busser in Los Angeles is approximately $18.78, about 32% above the national average.
• Annual salary for bussers averages around $37,502, with tips significantly boosting earnings.
• Many employers provide comprehensive benefits, including flexible schedules, insurance, paid leave, and opportunities for career advancement.

Bussers in Los Angeles enjoy competitive pay along with valuable benefits that enhance their role in the hospitality industry.

This guide outlines average wages, tipping practices, and the benefits available to bussers in Los Angeles.

For insights on hiring and retaining restaurant staff, see our restaurant staff hiring strategies spotlight.

Average Pay for Bussers in Los Angeles

Bussers play an essential role in maintaining a smooth dining experience by clearing tables, setting up dining areas, and supporting servers.

In Los Angeles, the average hourly wage for a busser is around $18.78, which notably exceeds the national average by roughly 32%. This equates to an estimated annual salary of approximately $37,502, reflecting the city’s higher cost of living and strong hospitality sector.

For perspective, at popular restaurant chains like Olive Garden, bussers typically earn about $16.50 per hour before tips, while at other venues such as Dave & Buster's, overall pay including tips can average $21.85 per hour.

Understanding the busser job description can help employers set appropriate salaries and expectations.

Tips and Additional Earnings for Los Angeles Bussers

Tips are a crucial part of bussers’ income and can substantially increase their overall earnings. Bussers often receive gratuities either directly from customers or as part of a pooled tip system shared with servers and bartenders.

At many establishments, tips help bridge the gap between the base wage and a more competitive total compensation package. For example, Olive Garden Bussers in Los Angeles report base pay plus regular tips, enhancing their hourly income beyond the base wage alone. Likewise, at Dave & Buster's, tip-inclusive wages contribute to the higher average hourly pay rate.

Given the importance of tips, bussers often develop strong relationships with serving staff to optimize the tipping system and maximize earnings.

Learn effective hiring tips for restaurant staff to build a team that maximizes service and tipping potential.

Benefits Offered to Bussers in Los Angeles Restaurants

Beyond wages and tips, many employers in Los Angeles provide valuable benefits to bussing staff, reflecting both competitive labor markets and efforts to retain dedicated employees.

Notable benefits offered by major employers like Olive Garden include flexible work schedules, free employee meals, weekly pay, paid sick leave, paid family and medical leave, medical and dental insurance, ongoing training opportunities, employer-sponsored 401(k) plans, anniversary pay, and employee discounts on services.

Similarly, Lazy Dog Family LLC provides dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan to help with retirement preparation, pet insurance, flexible scheduling, and opportunities for advancement within the company.

Such benefits create a more supportive work environment and contribute to bussers’ overall job satisfaction and financial security.

For more on employee benefits, see our guide to restaurant job perks.

How Busser Pay and Benefits Impact the Los Angeles Hospitality Industry

Offering competitive pay and comprehensive benefits helps restaurants attract and retain skilled bussers, which in turn improves service quality and guest satisfaction. Bussers’ efforts in maintaining clean and orderly dining areas contribute significantly to the overall dining experience.

Given the busy and often fast-paced nature of Los Angeles restaurants, providing fair wages and benefits is essential to motivating employees and reducing turnover.

For bussers, the combination of a solid hourly wage, tips, and benefits makes this career path economically viable while offering opportunities for professional growth.

Explore strategies to reduce employee turnover for maintaining a strong hospitality team.

Resources for Los Angeles Bussers on Wages and Rights

Bussers seeking to understand their wage rights, working conditions, and benefits options can consult several official sources for accurate information:

• California Department of Industrial Relations offers extensive information on labor laws, minimum wage standards, and employee rights across California.
• U.S. Department of Labor – Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provides federal guidelines on minimum wage, overtime, and tip regulations applicable to bussers and other hospitality workers.

Those interested in starting as a busser can benefit from reviewing the busser interview questions to prepare for hospitality job interviews.

Los Angeles Salary Guide for Busser: Conclusion

In summary, bussers in Los Angeles benefit from hourly wages significantly above the national average, plus opportunities for earning tips that further enhance compensation.

Many local employers also offer comprehensive benefits packages that support the well-being and advancement of bussing staff.

Those pursuing a career as a busser in Los Angeles can expect a rewarding role with competitive pay and supportive working conditions, making it an attractive entry point into the hospitality industry.

For a detailed overview on pathways and salary, visit the busser salary guide on OysterLink.