California Median
$39,010
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.75
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $35,360
State Rank
#2 of 51
32,430 employed here
How much does a Food Server, Nonrestaurant make in California?
A Food Server, Nonrestaurant working in California earns a median salary of $39,010 per year, or about $18.75 per hour. That is 10% above the national median of $35,360 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $35,120 while the top 10% make $57,550 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,650 and $46,900 a year.
Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,120 | $16.88 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,650 | $17.62 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,010 | $18.75 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $46,900 | $22.55 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,550 | $27.67 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories for Food Server, Nonrestaurant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary in other states
New York $39,370Colorado $38,900Washington $38,870Alaska $38,090District of Columbia $37,920Hawaii $37,920Maine $37,680Vermont $37,540North Dakota $36,910Massachusetts $36,750New Hampshire $36,710Maryland $36,650Oregon $36,620New Jersey $36,390Nevada $36,030Minnesota $36,000Connecticut $35,950New Mexico $35,740Arizona $35,390Virginia $35,090Illinois $35,080Rhode Island $34,860Wisconsin $34,670Michigan $34,260Idaho $34,220Florida $33,930Pennsylvania $33,300Wyoming $33,090Kentucky $32,200Montana $32,090South Dakota $31,980Indiana $31,840Missouri $31,840South Carolina $31,740Nebraska $31,540Georgia $31,530North Carolina $31,460Delaware $31,430Tennessee $30,670Ohio $30,440Utah $30,170West Virginia $30,170Iowa $30,110Texas $29,300Kansas $29,040Alabama $29,000Oklahoma $28,490Arkansas $27,600Mississippi $27,250Louisiana $27,200
Working as a Food Server, Nonrestaurant in California
Nationally, about 294,000 people work as Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($39,010) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Food Server, Nonrestaurant make in California?
The median Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary in California is $39,010 per year, or about $18.75 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,120 at the entry level to $57,550 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Food Servers, Nonrestaurant about 10% more than the national median of $35,360. California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $39,010 a year. About 32,430 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.