How to become dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helperseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Food Service Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$33,980

25th–75th pct. $28,330–$37,250

Top pay (est.)

$60,500

Top 10% $46,570

Pay in 5 years

$40,000est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$47,100est.

$40,500–$54,600

Outlook score

59/100

★★★☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

17%

Very low

Job growth (10 yr)

+5.3%

95K openings / yr

How to become dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

Typical education

No formal educational credential

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

Short-term on-the-job training

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

Key skills

Coordination

2.9

Critical Thinking

2.2

Judgment and Decision Making

2.1

Management of Personnel Resources

2.1

Speaking

2.1

Active Learning

2.1

Time Management

2.1

Service Orientation

2.1

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service

3.9

Food Production

3.0

English Language

3.0

Administration and Management

2.6

Sales and Marketing

2.5

Psychology

2.2

Production and Processing

2.0

Education and Training

2.0

What the work involves

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsHandling and Moving ObjectsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsScheduling Work and ActivitiesAssisting and Caring for OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicPerforming General Physical Activities

Important abilities

Near VisionTrunk StrengthStatic StrengthManual DexterityExtent FlexibilityStamina

Education of workers

High school diploma

74%

Less than high school

22%

Post-secondary certificate

Associate's degree

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

59%

None / short demo

34%

1–3 months

1–2 years

Related work experience

None

41%

Up to 1 month

37%

1–3 months

1–2 years

3–6 months

6–12 months

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★☆☆☆☆ Easy to enter (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Fast Food and Counter Workers Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages.	$31,200	57/100	30%
2	Waiters and Waitresses Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.	$35,230	50/100	18%
3	Cooks, Restaurant Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants.	$37,390	65/100	19%
4	First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in preparing and serving food.	$44,080	60/100	30%
5	Food Preparation Workers Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.	$35,320	42/100	30%
6	Bartenders Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.	$34,340	58/100	20%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.