Food Server, Nonrestaurant Salary in Ohio (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Ohio Median
$30,440
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.63
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $35,360
State Rank
#41 of 51
15,320 employed here

How much does a Food Server, Nonrestaurant make in Ohio?

A Food Server, Nonrestaurant working in Ohio earns a median salary of $30,440 per year, or about $14.63 per hour. That is 14% below the national median of $35,360 for this occupation.

Within Ohio, entry-level pay starts around $26,450 while the top 10% make $38,310 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,340 and $36,110 a year.

Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary range in Ohio

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$26,450$12.72
25th percentile (early career)$28,340$13.63
50th percentile (median)$30,440$14.63
75th percentile (experienced)$36,110$17.36
90th percentile (top earners)$38,310$18.42

How Ohio compares

Ohio ranks 41st 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 Ohio

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 Ohio pay ($30,440) 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 Ohio?
The median Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary in Ohio is $30,440 per year, or about $14.63 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $26,450 at the entry level to $38,310 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Ohio pay compare to the national average?
Ohio pays Food Servers, Nonrestaurant about 14% less than the national median of $35,360. Ohio ranks 41st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Ohio a good state for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $30,440 a year. About 15,320 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant are employed in Ohio. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Ohio?
The highest-paying occupations in Ohio include Surgeon, All Other ($554,220), Cardiologist ($504,260), Anesthesiologist ($490,530), 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.