Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers keep food service spaces running smoothly. You'll work directly with guests, clear tables, stock supplies, and support bartenders. Most positions require only a high school diploma, and you can start right away.
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Your day involves communicating with supervisors and coworkers, working directly with guests, and maintaining friendly relationships with the people around you. You'll clear and set tables, refill beverages, stock supplies, and assist bartenders during service. The work requires you to listen actively to requests, monitor the dining area for needs, and speak clearly with both guests and staff. You'll identify when tables need attention, help guests feel welcome, and handle the details that keep a dining space organized and welcoming.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers earn a median of $33,980 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations, with about 99,600 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most positions require a high school diploma or equivalent. You'll learn on the job, starting with training from your employer on their specific procedures, menu items, and service standards. Some employers prefer candidates with food service experience, but many hire people new to the field. Look for entry-level openings at restaurants, cafeterias, hotels, and catering companies. Your ability to listen, follow directions, and work well with others matters more than prior experience.
Most people start in entry-level food service roles and move up based on interest and opportunity. If you're exploring this path, Pathly can map the dining room and cafeteria attendant and bartender helper path that fits you to map out your first steps with your counselor.
You do not need a license to work as a dining room and cafeteria attendant and bartender helper, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You're drawn to hands-on work in real environments with real people. You enjoy being practical, observant, and responsive to what's happening around you right now.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).