Busser Salary Guide 2026: How Much Do Bussers Make?

Busser salary at a glance

Base pay: $13–$16/hr. With tip-out from servers (10–20% of server tips), total busser compensation reaches $16–$22/hr at busy restaurants. NYC and fine dining skew higher.

Busser Pay Breakdown: Base + Tip-Out

• Base hourly rate: $13–$16/hr depending on market and restaurant
• Tip-out from servers: typically 10–20% of server's tips
• Example — casual dining: Server makes $80/shift → busser gets $8–$16/shift
• Example — upscale restaurant: Server makes $200/shift → busser gets $20–$40/shift
• Total at upscale restaurants: $18–$25/hr equivalent
• Total at casual restaurants: $15–$19/hr equivalent

Busser Salary by City (2026)

• New York City: $17–$20/hr base + tip-out (total $20–$28/hr at busy restaurants)
• San Francisco: $16–$19/hr base + tip-out
• Seattle: $17–$20/hr base + tip-out — WA minimum $16.66/hr
• Los Angeles: $16–$18/hr base + tip-out
• Chicago: $15–$17/hr base + tip-out
• Las Vegas: $15–$18/hr base + tip-out (casino restaurants pay premium)
• Miami: $14–$16/hr base + tip-out
• Houston / Dallas: $13–$15/hr base + tip-out
• Atlanta: $13–$15/hr base + tip-out
• Toronto (CAD): CAD $16–$18/hr base + tip-out

Busser Career Path

• Busser: $13–$16/hr base + tip-out — entry level, no experience needed
• Food runner: $13–$17/hr base + tip-out — lateral move, more kitchen exposure
• Server assistant / lead busser: $15–$18/hr base — senior role with more responsibility
• Server: $8–$12/hr base + direct tips ($25–$50/hr total at busy restaurants) — most common advancement
• FOH supervisor: $18–$25/hr — management track, no tipping