Salary comparison

Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers vs. Waiters and Waitresses: Salary Comparison (2026)

Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helperss earn a median salary of $32,670/year, while Waiters and Waitressess earn $33,760/year - a difference of $1,090. Waiters and Waitressess earn more on average. Both salaries are based on national BLS data.

Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

Waiters and Waitresses

Median salary

$32,670

$33,760

Hourly rate

$15.71/hr

$16.23/hr

Entry level (10th %)

$22,260

$18,500

Senior level (90th %)

$46,380

$62,510

Education required

Varies

U.S. employment

522,010

2,302,690

Job growth (10-year)

N/A