Median Salary
$35,360
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$17.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$46,120
entry level starts ~$28,030
Pay Grade
C
below-average pay · 294,000 employed
How much does a Food Server, Nonrestaurant make?
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in the United States bring home a median salary of $35,360 a year, or around $17.00 an hour. Pay spans a wide range: the bottom 10% earn under $28,030, while the top 10% earn $46,120.
That is $26,030 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary range by percentile
Half of all Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earn between $31,190 and $38,500 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,030 | $13.48 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $31,190 | $15.00 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $35,360 | $17.00 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $38,500 | $18.51 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,120 | $22.17 |
|
Highest-paying states for Food Server, Nonrestaurant
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. New York leads the country for Food Server, Nonrestaurant pay at $39,370 a year, followed by California ($39,010) and Colorado ($38,900). At the other end, Louisiana posts the lowest median at $27,200 — a gap of $12,170 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
New York $39,370California $39,010Colorado $38,900Washington $38,870Alaska $38,090District of Columbia $37,920Hawaii $37,920Maine $37,680Vermont $37,540North Dakota $36,910Massachusetts $36,750New Hampshire $36,710Maryland $36,650Oregon $36,620New Jersey $36,390Nevada $36,030Minnesota $36,000Connecticut $35,950New Mexico $35,740Arizona $35,390Virginia $35,090Illinois $35,080Rhode Island $34,860Wisconsin $34,670Michigan $34,260Idaho $34,220Florida $33,930Pennsylvania $33,300Wyoming $33,090Kentucky $32,200Montana $32,090South Dakota $31,980Indiana $31,840Missouri $31,840South Carolina $31,740Nebraska $31,540Georgia $31,530North Carolina $31,460Delaware $31,430Tennessee $30,670Ohio $30,440Utah $30,170West Virginia $30,170Iowa $30,110Texas $29,300Kansas $29,040Alabama $29,000Oklahoma $28,490Arkansas $27,600Mississippi $27,250Louisiana $27,200
Workforce and education
About 294,000 people work as Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in the United States. On qualifications: no college degree is required — most training happens on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Food Server, Nonrestaurant make in the United States?
The median Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary in the United States is $35,360 per year, or about $17.00 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $28,030, while the top 10% of earners make $46,120 or more.
How does Food Server, Nonrestaurant pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C (below-average pay), the Food Server, Nonrestaurant median of $35,360 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Food Servers, Nonrestaurant the most?
New York is the highest-paying state for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant, with a median salary of $39,370 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Food Server, Nonrestaurant?
Becoming a Food Server, Nonrestaurant typically requires no formal schooling beyond basic training. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
How many Food Servers, Nonrestaurant work in the United States?
About 294,000 people were employed as Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.