Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

SOC code 35-9011 · O*NET-SOC 35-9011.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Food service and hospitality

Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth and numerous job openings for this occupation

Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$33,980

a year

Hourly

$16.34

per hour

10th$21,300Median$33,98090th$46,570

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$34,230

$16.46 per hour

Middle 50%

$28,330 – $37,250

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$21,300 – $46,570

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

542,750

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $21,300; $10.24/hr
25th percentile: $28,330; $13.62/hr
Median percentile: $33,980; $16.34/hr
75th percentile: $37,250; $17.91/hr
90th percentile: $46,570; $22.39/hr

What do dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers do?

Facilitate food service. Clean tables; remove dirty dishes; replace soiled table linens; set tables; replenish supply of clean linens, silverware, glassware, and dishes; supply service bar with food; and serve items such as water, condiments, and coffee to patrons.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Run cash registers.
Serve ice water, coffee, rolls, or butter to patrons.
Scrape and stack dirty dishes and carry dishes and other tableware to kitchens for cleaning.
Wipe tables or seats with dampened cloths or replace dirty tablecloths.
Set tables with clean linens, condiments, or other supplies.
Greet and seat customers.
Clean up spilled food or drink or broken dishes and remove empty bottles and trash.
Maintain adequate supplies of items, such as clean linens, silverware, glassware, dishes, or trays.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 74% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)74%
Less than a High School Diploma22%
Post-Secondary Certificate2%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree1%

Common questions

How much does a dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers earn?

The national median is $33,980 a year. The full range runs from $21,300 at the 10th percentile to $46,570 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Active Listening3.0/5
Speaking2.9/5
Monitoring2.9/5
Critical Thinking2.8/5

Knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service4.3/5
Food Production3.3/5
English Language3.3/5
Sales and Marketing3.0/5
Administration and Management2.8/5
Personnel and Human Resources2.5/5

Transferable strengths: Coordination, Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Judgment and Decision Making.