Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers support food and beverage operations and interact directly with guests. This career employs 527,000 people nationally, indicating wide availability of positions across many types of establishments. The national median annual salary is $32,670, and the typical education requirement is no formal educational credential, making it accessible to people entering the workforce or changing careers. A projected employment growth rate of 6.3% and 100,000 annual openings suggest a steady flow of opportunities for both new and experienced workers. Key strengths in this field include physical strength and stamina, customer service, interpersonal skills, and fine motor skills, along with adaptability and basic computers and information technology abilities. For individuals considering related paths, similar occupations include food preparation and serving related workers (all other), waiters and waitresses, various building cleaning workers, and ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers. Overall, this role offers broad entry-level access and ongoing hiring needs nationwide.
The national median annual salary for dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers is $32,670. Earnings vary by location, with some states and metro areas offering higher median salaries than the national figure. Among the top states, Washington shows a median salary of $41,420, while California, Massachusetts, and New York have medians ranging from $35,380 to $36,740. Across top metro areas, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA has a median salary of $41,710, and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA reaches $39,310, both above the national median. Other leading metros such as New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ and Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV have median salaries in the mid- to upper-$30,000s. These differences show that geographic choice can have a meaningful impact on potential earnings, with certain states and metropolitan areas offering higher typical pay within this occupation.
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers have a sizable national workforce of 527,000, supported by a projected employment growth rate of 6.3%. This indicates that the occupation is expected to expand over the projection period. With 100,000 annual openings, there are many opportunities for new entrants, re-entrants, and those moving between employers within the field. The same 6.3% growth rate appears in the top states and metro areas listed, suggesting consistent projected expansion in multiple regions. The combination of a large employment base and high annual openings means job seekers may encounter frequent hiring activity. This can be relevant for individuals seeking their first role, those looking for flexible options, or workers who may need to relocate and still find opportunities in this field. Overall, the outlook points to ongoing demand and continued job availability across the country.
Location plays a significant role in opportunity for dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers. Among states, California has the highest employment level at 75,460, with a median salary of $36,010 and an opportunity score of 67.38. New York and Massachusetts also show relatively strong combinations of salary, employment, and opportunity scores, with New York offering a median salary of $36,740 and employment of 41,340. Washington stands out for a higher median salary of $41,420, though with smaller employment at 6,160 and an opportunity score of 56.29. Colorado offers a median salary of $36,790 and employment of 8,460. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA and New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ have the highest opportunity scores, 77.42 and 77.27 respectively, with median salaries near or above $36,980. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA also combines a $39,310 median salary with an opportunity score of 68.75. These differences give job seekers options to weigh salary, job concentration, and overall opportunity when choosing where to work.
For dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers, the typical education requirement is no formal educational credential. This makes the field accessible to individuals who may not have completed traditional academic programs or who want to enter the workforce quickly. Because formal education requirements are minimal, skills become a key differentiator. Important abilities include physical strength and stamina, which support the physical nature of the work, and customer service and interpersonal skills, which help in interacting effectively with guests and coworkers. Fine motor skills and mechanical abilities can also be valuable, along with adaptability and leadership for handling varied situations and coordinating with others. Speaking and listening skills are central to clear communication, while basic competency with computers and information technology supports tasks that may involve digital tools. Together, these skills provide a practical foundation for success and advancement within this occupation and can be developed over time through on-the-job experience and self-directed learning.
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