Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
Also called: Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants
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.
Also called: Banquet Houseperson, Banquet Set Up Person, Bar Attendant, Bar Back, Barback, Barmaid
Median pay
$33,980
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$21,300 – $46,570
People employed
542,750
Holland code
RCS
Realistic · Conventional · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 2.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 3.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 4.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 5.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 6.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 7.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 8.Are you OK with hours that change?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers salary in every state →
What dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers do
- 01Run cash registers.
- 02Serve ice water, coffee, rolls, or butter to patrons.
- 03Scrape and stack dirty dishes and carry dishes and other tableware to kitchens for cleaning.
- 04Wipe tables or seats with dampened cloths or replace dirty tablecloths.
- 05Set tables with clean linens, condiments, or other supplies.
- 06Greet and seat customers.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Food Production
- English Language
- Sales and Marketing
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Cooperation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
- Fast Food and Counter Workers91% · −8%
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant89% · +4%
- Waiters and Waitresses87% · +4%
- Baristas85% · group pay
- Food Preparation Workers84% · +4%
Change into dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Fast Food and Counter Workers91% · $31,200
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant89% · $35,360
- Baristas88% · $31,200
- Bartenders87% · $34,340
- Waiters and Waitresses87% · $35,230