Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper Salary in Washington, DC
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $37,260 a year — 10% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,049 take-home, or $2,587 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median dining room and cafeteria attendant and bartender helper salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,291
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,310
- Medicare (1.45%)$540
- District of Columbia income tax$1,070
- Take-home pay$31,049
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,410 | $15.58 | $27,443 | $2,287 |
| 25th percentile | $34,380 | $16.53 | $28,908 | $2,409 |
| Median (50th) | $37,260 | $17.91 | $31,049 | $2,587 |
| 75th percentile | $45,400 | $21.83 | $37,101 | $3,092 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,830 | $26.84 | $44,856 | $3,738 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,260 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median dining room and cafeteria attendant and bartender helper's $31,049 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,515 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.3× the national concentration of dining room and cafeteria attendant and bartender helper jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #11 of 41 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $50,200 | $40,217 | $36,245 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $45,120 | $38,434 | $34,584 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $41,710 | $34,494 | $31,238 |
| 4 | Buffalo, NY | $35,140 | $29,114 | $30,377 |
| 5 | Phoenix, AZ | $36,960 | $31,162 | $30,162 |
| 6 | Jacksonville, FL | $34,290 | $29,732 | $29,886 |
| 7 | Baltimore, MD | $37,540 | $30,924 | $29,596 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $36,880 | $30,899 | $29,210 |
| 11 | Washington, DC | $37,260 | $31,049 | $28,515 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 41 metros →
About the job: dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
Facilitate food service. Clean tables; remove dirty dishes; replace soiled table linens; set tables; replenish supply of clean linens, silverware, glassware, and dishes; supply service bar with food; and serve items such as water, condiments, and coffee to patrons.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.3% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dining room and cafeteria attendant and bartender helper make in Washington, DC?
The median dining room and cafeteria attendant and bartender helper salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $37,260 a year, or about $17.91 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,380 and $45,400.
What is a dining room and cafeteria attendant and bartender helper’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $37,260 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $31,049 a year ($2,587 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,070 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a dining room and cafeteria attendant and bartender helper?
Pay here is 10% above the national median of $33,980. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,515 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #11 of 41 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a dining room and cafeteria attendant and bartender helper afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 77% of a median dining room and cafeteria attendant and bartender helper’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Chef and Head Cook — $74,900
- Bartender — $48,030
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $47,580
- Waiter and Waitress — $46,040
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $44,880
- Cooks, Restaurant — $42,920
- Cooks, Short Order — $39,650
- Food Preparation Worker — $37,630
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $37,540
- Dishwasher — $37,010
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $36,360
- Cooks, Fast Food — $35,800