How much does a Busser make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Busser in the United States is $24,808 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $12.

However, a Busser's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $28,172
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $22,791 to $26,569
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $20,955

Key Factors That Influence Busser Salaries

A Busser's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Busser Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Busser's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $24,447
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $24,808
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $25,386
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $25,465
  • Expert (over 8 years): $25,597
Levels Salary
Entry Level Busser$24,447
Intermediate Level Busser$24,808
Senior Level Busser$25,386
Specialist Level Busser$25,465
Expert Level Busser$25,597

Top Paying Cities for Busser

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $31,290
  • San Francisco: $30,948
  • Oakland: $30,296

What Skills Can Increase a Busser's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 12.38% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Credit Card (Mentioned in 2.31% Job Postings): A credit card is a type of credit facility, provided by banks that allow customers to borrow funds within a pre-approved credit limit.
  • Food Delivery (Mentioned in 1.58% Job Postings): Food delivery service is somewhat similar to courier service in which the ordered food is delivered from the restaurant to the customer either by the restaurant's staff or by delivery agents of a food ordering company.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 12.38%
Credit Card 2.31%
Food Delivery 1.58%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Busser's salary.

  • Time Management: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Container: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Time Management $26,793
8%
Container $26,296
6%
Problem Solving $25,800
4%

Busser Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Busser salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $26,990. While startup companies pay approximate $22,773.

Busser Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $22,773
Growth Stage 51~500 $24,101
Established 501~5000 $26,050
Enterprise 5000+ $26,990

Busser Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Busser's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$22,791
Average $24,808/year
$26,569
$1,899
Average $2,067/month
$2,214
$438
Average $477/week
$511
$11
Average $12/hour
$13
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $26,569 $2,214 $511 $13
Average $24,808 $2,067 $477 $12
25th Percentile $22,791 $1,899 $438 $11

Busser Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Busser, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Busser Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Fast Food Shift Supervisor $33,546 35%
Fine Dining Restaurant Manager $59,460 140%
Food & Beverage Supervisor $38,502 55%
Food Services Team Lead $41,169 66%

Most common benefits for Busser

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Busser

Here are companies hiring for Busser and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Busser Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Busser job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Busser

1. Where can a Busser earn the most?

A Busser's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Busser earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Busser is $31,290.

2. What is the highest pay for Busser?

The highest pay for Busser is $28,172.

3. What is the lowest pay for Busser?

The lowest pay for Busser is $20,955.

4. What are the responsibilities of Busser?

Clears tables after diners have finished and prepares table for next customer. Ensures that all cutlery, napkins, and table accessories are in place and in good order. May fill water glasses or assist servers. May require a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst