Lots of jobs, few hires: Labor shortage puts Tampa Bay restaurants in a pinch Worker advocates say itâs the start of an overdue reckoning for industries that rely on low-wage jobs. Â Â A marquee at the McDonald's at 1905 N Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa indicates a starting salary of $13 an hour for new hires on May 12. The restaurant had previously offered applicants $50 just for coming in for an interview, a sign of the current high demand for food service workers. [ IVY CEBALLO | Times ] At the Oxford Exchange in Tampa, business isnât just back. Itâs booming. Sales are up 68 percent compared to 2019, said owner Allison Adams. A waitlist for a Motherâs Day brunch listed more than 1,200 people. The restaurantâs reservation system was similarly backlogged for Easter and Valentineâs Day.