What does a Busboy do?
Busboys, often called Bussers or Food Runners, support other restaurant staff by cleaning dishes, clearing and setting tables, stocking supplies and helping guests. They work in a fast-paced culinary environment to clean and reset tables and make sure that flatware and plates are readily available. As customer service workers, they are responsible for ensuring that guests’ needs are either met or brought to the attention of waitstaff and management. Most Busboys work in restaurants, cafes or catering companies to lighten the workload of the wait staff.
Busboy skills and qualifications
A Busboy should have a certain set of skills in order to effectively handle their daily responsibilities, such as:
- Strong customer service skills for interacting with restaurant guests
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills for conveying information to other staff members
- Knowledge of food production and service, including safe storage practices, handling methods and laws and regulations
- Ability to tolerate stress and work in a fast-paced environment
- Physical strength for lifting and moving heavy objects and stamina for standing and walking for long hours
- Dexterity for dealing with objects that are fragile or otherwise need careful handling
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Organizational skills and attention to detail
Busboy salary expectations
A Busboy makes an average of $10.69 per hour. This pay rate may vary according to the candidate’s level of experience and the size and location of the business.
Busboy salary expectations
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Common salary:
14.35 HOURLY -
Typical salaries range from
7.25 -28.85 HOURLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
Busboy education and training requirements
Busboys typically need to have a high school diploma, though many businesses will accept a General Educational Development (GED) certificate as well. They don’t need specific education beyond high school, and training is often done on the job, so a college degree isn’t required. Some employers may prefer to hire candidates with some hospitality education or catering training because it shows that they are developing the skills and knowledge necessary to work as a Busboy.
Busboy experience requirements
Employers often look for Busboys with 1 to 5 years of experience working in restaurants or catering. Having supervisory experience in the restaurant industry is also a plus, but not necessary. Busboys typically gain experience during on-the-job training, so they don’t need as much work experience as other professionals in this industry. Some employers may choose to hire enthusiastic candidates with good personalities and strong customer service skills rather than looking for someone with many years of experience.
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