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Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers Salary in District of Columbia

The median pay for a dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers in District of Columbia is $38,160/year ($18.35/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $56K for experienced workers.

AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)

$38K
Median annual
$18.35/hr
Hourly rate
$35K
Entry level (10th %)
$56K
Senior level (90th %)

So what does $38K get you in District of Columbia?

Take-home$2,624/mo
2BR rent (est.)-$2,246/mo
Rent burden85.6% (above 30%)
COL-adjusted salary$38,160/yr
After rent$378/mo
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About dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

U.S. employed: 4,040
Category: Food Service
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Compensation breakdown

Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia

Bar chart showing Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers salary percentiles in District of Columbia: 10th percentile $35,360, 25th percentile $36,110, median $38,160, 75th percentile $47,030, 90th percentile $56,390. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.10th$35K25th$36KMedian$38K75th$47K90th$56K
Bar chart showing Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers salary percentiles in District of Columbia: 10th percentile $35,360, 25th percentile $36,110, median $38,160, 75th percentile $47,030, 90th percentile $56,390. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Entry-level dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $38K.Top earners bring in $56K or more - a $21K spread from bottom to top.

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Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers pay across states

Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure

StateMedian salaryvs. nationalEmployment
Hawaii$47K+44%4,460
Washington$39K+19%7,070
District of Columbia$38K+17%4,040
Maine$37K+15%1,770
Vermont$37K+13%650
New York$37K+13%44,040
Arizona$36K+10%11,520
California$36K+10%78,320
Maryland$36K+9%13,080
Massachusetts$35K+6%10,820
Connecticut$34K+4%6,590
Oregon$33K+2%3,910
New Jersey$33K+0%13,890
North Dakota$33K-0%730
Virginia$31K-4%9,480

Track dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers salary changes

BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.

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Frequently asked questions

How much do dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers make in District of Columbia?

The median is $38,160 a year - that works out to about $18.35 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,360, and experienced dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers can clear $56,390. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.

Is $38K enough to live in District of Columbia?

On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,624/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,246/month (median of metro areas), which eats 85.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.

How far does a dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers salary go in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers salary is worth about $38,160 in national-average purchasing power.

Where do dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers get paid the most?

The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.

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