Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers Salary in Portland-South Portland, ME
The median pay for a dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers in Portland-South Portland, ME is $38,750/year ($18.63/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $31K at the entry level to $64K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 101.86), that's roughly $38,042 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,130/month — about 79.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $39K get you in Portland-South Portland?
About dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Portland-South Portland, ME
Entry-level dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers (10th percentile) start around $31K. Mid-career wages sit at $39K.Top earners bring in $64K or more - a $33K spread from bottom to top.
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Portland-South Portland numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers make in Portland-South Portland, ME?
The median is $38,750 a year - that works out to about $18.63 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $30,920, and experienced dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers can clear $64,240. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $39K enough to live in Portland-South Portland?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,648/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,130/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 80.4% 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 Portland-South Portland?
Portland-South Portland has a Regional Price Parity of 101.86 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers salary is worth about $38,042 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.