Food Server, Nonrestaurant Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$37,920
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.23
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+7% vs US median
US median $35,360
State Rank
#6 of 51
1,260 employed here

How much does a Food Server, Nonrestaurant make in District of Columbia?

A Food Server, Nonrestaurant working in District of Columbia earns a median salary of $37,920 per year, or about $18.23 per hour. That is 7% above the national median of $35,360 for this occupation.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $36,400 while the top 10% make $54,650 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,220 and $44,350 a year.

Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,400$17.50
25th percentile (early career)$37,220$17.89
50th percentile (median)$37,920$18.23
75th percentile (experienced)$44,350$21.32
90th percentile (top earners)$54,650$26.27

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 6th out of 51 states and territories for Food Server, Nonrestaurant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$39,370
2California$39,010
3Colorado$38,900
4Washington$38,870
5Alaska$38,090

Working as a Food Server, Nonrestaurant in District of Columbia

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 District of Columbia pay ($37,920) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary in District of Columbia is $37,920 per year, or about $18.23 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,400 at the entry level to $54,650 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Food Servers, Nonrestaurant about 7% more than the national median of $35,360. District of Columbia ranks 6th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $37,920 a year. About 1,260 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary report

Related salaries

Cook, Private Household

$47,940
median pay · 1,000 employed

Cook, All Other

$37,690
median pay · 19,000 employed

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

$37,450
median pay · 441,000 employed

Dishwasher

$34,810
median pay · 477,000 employed

Cook, Fast Food

$30,890
median pay · 641,000 employed

Cook, Short Order

$35,880
median pay · 139,000 employed
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.