Food Server, Nonrestaurant Salary in Virginia (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Virginia Median
$35,090
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.87
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $35,360
State Rank
#21 of 51
7,420 employed here

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

Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Virginia take home a median of $35,090 annually — roughly $16.87 an hour — which runs 1% below the national median of $35,360.

Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $29,040 while the top 10% make $42,930 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,630 and $36,960 a year.

Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary range in Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$29,040$13.96
25th percentile (early career)$30,630$14.73
50th percentile (median)$35,090$16.87
75th percentile (experienced)$36,960$17.77
90th percentile (top earners)$42,930$20.64

How Virginia compares

Virginia ranks 21st 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 Virginia

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 Virginia pay ($35,090) 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 Virginia?
The median Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary in Virginia is $35,090 per year, or about $16.87 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,040 at the entry level to $42,930 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Food Servers, Nonrestaurant about 1% less than the national median of $35,360. Virginia ranks 21st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $35,090 a year. About 7,420 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant are employed in Virginia. 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 Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.