Also called: Runner
Carries finished dishes from the kitchen to guests' tables quickly and correctly.
A food runner grabs plates from the pass, remembers which seat gets which dish, explains each plate to guests, and helps clear tables. Many become servers.
May 2025 BLS figures for dining room attendants; tips included.
No formal education, about 0 years after high school. No experience needed; restaurants train you on the job in table numbers and plate handling, and it often leads to server jobs.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Growing faster than average (about 6% over 10 years). BLS projects faster-than-average growth for dining room attendants (2024-34).
Medium risk for 10 years. Robot runners already deliver plates in some restaurants; fine dining keeps people, casual chains need fewer.
Age 16+. One way to start: Apply at busy restaurants for a food runner job; it's a common first restaurant job
Classes: Hospitality CTE class, Physical education, Spanish.
Official data: O*NET occupation 35-9011.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.