Food Server, Nonrestaurant Salary in Pennsylvania (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Pennsylvania Median
$33,300
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.01
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $35,360
State Rank
#28 of 51
13,940 employed here

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

A Food Server, Nonrestaurant working in Pennsylvania earns a median salary of $33,300 per year, or about $16.01 per hour. That is 6% below the national median of $35,360 for this occupation.

Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $27,450 while the top 10% make $42,980 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,480 and $38,020 a year.

Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary range in Pennsylvania

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$27,450$13.20
25th percentile (early career)$29,480$14.17
50th percentile (median)$33,300$16.01
75th percentile (experienced)$38,020$18.28
90th percentile (top earners)$42,980$20.66

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania ranks 28th 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 Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania pay ($33,300) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary in Pennsylvania is $33,300 per year, or about $16.01 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,450 at the entry level to $42,980 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Food Servers, Nonrestaurant about 6% less than the national median of $35,360. Pennsylvania ranks 28th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $33,300 a year. About 13,940 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant are employed in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), 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.