Vacancies

Working in restaurants and hotels in the US: salaries, roles, and how to get jobs

The restaurant and hospitality sector is one of the biggest hiring sectors for Brazilians and Latinos in the US.

...

The sector of Restaurants & Hospitality is one of the champions of hiring Brazilians and Latinos in the USA.

If you want to start earning dollars quickly, without requiring advanced English or prior experience, working in restaurants could be your best gateway into the American market.

In this article, you will discover what roles exist, how much you earn, how to find vacancies, how to apply, and what to expect on a day-to-day basis working in restaurants and hotels in the US.

Recommended Vacancies

You will be redirected to another website

Why work in restaurants and hotels in the USA?

✅ High demand: The restaurant industry is always on the move, hiring year-round, especially in large, touristy cities.
✅ Possibility of tips: In addition to salary, many restaurant positions offer daily tips that significantly increase your income.
✅ Does not require fluent English: It is possible to start in kitchen or cleaning roles even with basic English.
✅ Flexible schedules: There are morning, afternoon and evening shifts, allowing you to adjust according to your routine.
✅ Rapid growth: With dedication, it is possible to move up in position and increase your salary in a short time.

Types of roles in restaurants and hotels

🔹 Dishwasher: Responsible for washing dishes, pans and utensils.
🔹 Busser: Assists waiters, collects dishes and cleans tables.
🔹 Line Cook (Kitchen Assistant): Prepares food, helps with cutting ingredients and assembling dishes.
🔹 Prep Cook: Prepares and organizes ingredients before opening the restaurant.
🔹 Server (Waiter/Waitress): Serves customers, takes orders and serves food and drinks.
🔹 Host/Hostess: Greets customers at the entrance, organizes queues and seats them at tables.
🔹 Housekeeper (Hotel Industry): Cleaning and tidying of rooms in hotels and motels.
🔹 Barista: Prepares coffee and drinks in coffee shops.

Restaurant and hospitality salaries in the US

Salary varies depending on role, region and experience, but the average is:

Dishwasher: US$ 14 to US$ 18 per hour.

Busser: US$ 14 to US$ 18 per hour + tips (tip pool).

Line Cook / Prep Cook: US$ 15 to US$ 20 per hour.

Server: US$ 4 to US$ 10 per hour (base wage) + daily tips, totaling between US$ 100 to US$ 200 per day in many locations.

Host/Hostess: US$ 15 to US$ 18 per hour.

Housekeeper (hotel industry): US$ 14 to US$ 18 per hour.

Barista: US$ 14 to US$ 18 per hour + tips.

With a full workload and tips, it is possible to earn between US$ 2,500 to US$ 4,500 per month depending on the position, location and extra shifts.

Advantages of working in the sector

✅ Weekly payments in many cases.
✅ On-site dining at many restaurants.
✅ Possibility of overtime to increase income.
✅ Daily tips that help with cash flow.
✅ Quickly learn English in everyday life.

How to Find Restaurant and Hospitality Jobs in the US

✅ Websites to search for vacancies:

Indeed (indeed.com): Search for “server”, “line cook”, “dishwasher”, “busser”, “host”, “barista”.

Craigslist (craigslist.org): Go to “jobs” > “food/beverage/hospitality”.

SimplyHired (simplyhired.com): Search using city and function filters.

Glassdoor (glassdoor.com): View salaries and vacancies before applying.

Facebook Marketplace and Brazilian groups: Many restaurants post jobs in these groups daily.

✅ Other forms:

Visit restaurants in person during off-peak hours to hand in your resume.

Ask acquaintances who already work in restaurants if they need employees.

Observe “Now Hiring” signs on the doors of establishments.

How to apply for vacancies

📌 Prepare a simple resume in English, with your name, US phone number, email, schedule availability and experience (if any).
📌 For those who have no experience: Write that you are willing to learn, responsible, and available for flexible hours.
📌 Simple message in English when sending resume:

“Hello, I am interested in the [position] position. I am available full-time and ready to start immediately. Thank you!”

📌 When going in person:

Dress cleanly and discreetly.

Be polite and direct when asking to speak to a manager or leaving your resume.

Everyday life in restaurants and hotels in the USA

🕔 Varied schedules: Restaurants open early for breakfast, peak at lunch, and continue until dinner, with shifts that can start at 5 a.m. or end at midnight.
💪 Dynamic and physical work: It involves standing, walking a lot and dealing with the public (in customer service).
💰 Payments and tips: Tips may be received daily or weekly in addition to base wages.
📌 Multicultural environment: You will meet Americans, Latinos, Asians and people from all over the world.

Is it worth working in restaurants in the US?

Yes, working in restaurants and hotels is an excellent gateway for Brazilians to the US.

In addition to allowing earn dollars quickly, you can earn daily tips, learn English faster, and advance in your career quickly.

For those seeking stability, many Brazilians start as dishwashers or bussers and within a few months become cooks or servers, increasing their salary.