Food Server, Nonrestaurant Salary in New York (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New York Median
$39,370
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.93
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $35,360
State Rank
#1 of 51
17,520 employed here

How much does a Food Server, Nonrestaurant make in New York?

Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in New York take home a median of $39,370 annually — roughly $18.93 an hour — which runs 11% above the national median of $35,360.

Within New York, entry-level pay starts around $33,110 while the top 10% make $52,630 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,660 and $48,740 a year.

Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary range in New York

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$33,110$15.92
25th percentile (early career)$35,660$17.14
50th percentile (median)$39,370$18.93
75th percentile (experienced)$48,740$23.43
90th percentile (top earners)$52,630$25.30

How New York compares

New York ranks 1st 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 New York

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 New York pay ($39,370) 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 New York?
The median Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary in New York is $39,370 per year, or about $18.93 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $33,110 at the entry level to $52,630 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New York pay compare to the national average?
New York pays Food Servers, Nonrestaurant about 11% more than the national median of $35,360. New York ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New York a good state for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
Yes on pay — New York pays above the national median for this occupation, at $39,370 a year. About 17,520 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant are employed in New York. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New York?
The highest-paying occupations in New York include Cardiologist ($492,040), Anesthesiologist ($445,660), Radiologist ($441,580), 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.