What Is a Busser?

What is a busser?

A busser (also called a busboy or busgirl) clears and resets tables between covers in the dining room. Bussers support servers, keep the floor moving, and help restaurants maximize table turnover — a critical role in any full-service restaurant.

What Does a Busser Do? (Daily Duties)

• Clear dirty dishes, glasses, and cutlery from tables after guests leave
• Wipe and reset tables with clean linen, cutlery, and glassware
• Assist servers with water refills, bread service, and condiments
• Maintain cleanliness of dining room, service stations, and restrooms
• Polish cutlery and glassware during slow periods
• Transport dirty dishes to the dish pit or dishwashing area
• Assist with side work — rolling silverware, folding napkins, stocking stations

Busser Pay: What to Expect in 2026

• US base: $13–$16/hr depending on city and restaurant type
• Tip-out from servers: $2–$6/hr additional at busy restaurants
• Fine dining and hotel restaurants: total $16–$22/hr
• Canada: CAD $15–$18/hr plus tip-pool in major markets
• Most busser positions are W-2 hourly with tip-pool eligibility

Busser vs Food Runner: What's the Difference?

• Busser focuses on clearing and resetting tables in the dining room
• Food runner focuses on delivering dishes from the kitchen to tables
• High-volume restaurants keep these as separate positions
• Smaller restaurants often cross-train staff in both roles
• Bussers spend most of their time on the dining floor; food runners spend time at the kitchen pass

How to Hire Bussers Fast

• Traditional hiring: 1–3 weeks to fill a busser position via job boards
• On-demand staffing: same-day busser coverage for events and peak shifts
• W-2 staffing protects against misclassification and payroll liability
• DishwasherHero+ places bussers for banquet events, hotel dining, and busy restaurant nights across 30+ cities