How long does it take to become a Busser?

It takes one year or less to become a busser. That is the time it takes to learn specific busser skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education.

How To Become A Busser: What It Is and Career Path

What is a busser and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A busser is an entry-level position in the restaurant industry. They clear tables, reset them, and assist servers and bartenders. Bussers typically work in fast-paced environments and require strong communication and time-management. They also help with food preparation and cleaning, such as sweeping floors and taking out the trash. A good busser is efficient, detail-oriented, and able to work well under pressure. This position can often lead to other roles in the restaurant industry.

ScoreBusserUS Average

Salary

1.9

Avg. Salary $24,111

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

6.2

Growth Rate 9%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.09%

Asian 7.08%

Black or African American 8.73%

Hispanic or Latino 20.09%

Unknown 5.38%

White 57.63%

Gender

female 26.88%

male 73.12%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress Level

6.2

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

6.1

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

10.0

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Busser?

Pros

Opportunity for tips
Free or discounted meals
Learn about the restaurant industry
Meet new people
Often receive immediate feedback on performance

Cons

Often work weekends and holidays
Can be stressful during busy hours
Little control over schedule or shift assignments
Limited opportunities for growth or promotions within the company
May need to work in hot, noisy environments

Key steps to become a busser

Explore busser education requirements

Most common busser degrees

High School Diploma

49.4 %

Bachelor's

24.7 %

Associate

14.7 %

Start to develop specific busser skills

Skills	Percentages
Cleanliness	23.60%
Work Ethic	9.17%
TIP	7.99%
Food Handling	5.35%
Dishwashers	5.17%

Complete relevant busser training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New bussers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a busser based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real busser resumes.

Research busser duties and responsibilities

Cross-Train in all kitchen culinary positions including broiler, saut, banquets and room service food production.
Perform food preparation and serving duties, such as carving meat, preparing flambe dishes, or serving wine and liquor.
Schedule reservations and place and deliver room service orders.
Maintain both FOH and BOH duties in a fast-pace dining establishment.

Prepare your busser resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your busser resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a busser resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Busser Resume templates

Build a professional Busser resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Busser resume.

Apply for busser jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a busser job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do bussers rate their job?

What is a busser and how to become one

What are the pros and cons of being a Busser?

Busser career paths

Key steps to become a busser

Explore busser education requirements

Most common busser degrees

Start to develop specific busser skills

Complete relevant busser training and internships

Research busser duties and responsibilities

Prepare your busser resume

Choose From 10+ Customizable Busser Resume templates

Apply for busser jobs

How Did You Land Your First Busser Job

Average busser salary

How do bussers rate their job?

Busser FAQs

How long does it take to become a Busser?

Search for busser jobs

Busser jobs by state