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Food Service

Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
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Median pay

$32,670
Median annual pay for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

6.3%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

99,600
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

527,400
Estimated U.S. employment for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+33,100
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Short-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Monitoring
  3. 3Speaking
  4. 4Critical Thinking
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Food Production
  4. 4Sales and Marketing
  5. 5Administration and Management
  6. 6Personnel and Human Resources

Abilities

  1. 1Trunk Strength
  2. 2Arm-Hand Steadiness
  3. 3Manual Dexterity
  4. 4Stamina
  5. 5Extent Flexibility
  6. 6Information Ordering

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Investigative

Work styles

  1. 1Cooperation
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Social Orientation
  4. 4Optimism
  5. 5Attention to Detail
  6. 6Self-Control

Work activities

  1. 1Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  2. 2Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  3. 3Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  4. 4Getting Information
  5. 5Assisting and Caring for Others
  6. 6Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Work context

  1. 1Spend Time Walking or Running
  2. 2Spend Time Standing
  3. 3Contact With Others
  4. 4Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  5. 5Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  6. 6Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Representative tasks

  • Run cash registers.
  • Serve ice water, coffee, rolls, or butter to patrons.
  • Scrape and stack dirty dishes and carry dishes and other tableware to kitchens for cleaning.
  • Wipe tables or seats with dampened cloths or replace dirty tablecloths.
  • Set tables with clean linens, condiments, or other supplies.
  • Greet and seat customers.
  • Clean up spilled food or drink or broken dishes and remove empty bottles and trash.
  • Maintain adequate supplies of items, such as clean linens, silverware, glassware, dishes, or trays.

Software and tools

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Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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