California Median
$36,080
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.35
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $35,230
State Rank
#22 of 51
229,970 employed here
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make in California?
Waiters and Waitresses in California take home a median of $36,080 annually — roughly $17.35 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $35,230.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $34,320 while the top 10% make $68,950 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,900 and $39,870 a year.
Waiters and Waitresses salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,320 | $16.50 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $34,900 | $16.78 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,080 | $17.35 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $39,870 | $19.17 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,950 | $33.15 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 22nd out of 51 states and territories for Waiters and Waitresses pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Waiters and Waitresses salary in other states
Hawaii $62,390Vermont $59,140Washington $56,130Oregon $48,410District of Columbia $47,850New York $47,020New Jersey $44,960Colorado $44,860Virginia $44,760Arizona $43,950Maine $43,370Massachusetts $38,460New Hampshire $38,430Connecticut $37,770Michigan $37,760New Mexico $36,920Delaware $36,880Maryland $36,750Ohio $36,700Florida $36,150Kansas $36,120Rhode Island $35,420West Virginia $35,380Pennsylvania $34,690Nebraska $33,770North Carolina $32,150Illinois $31,200Utah $31,150North Dakota $30,890Idaho $30,050Wisconsin $29,670Kentucky $29,660Missouri $29,400South Dakota $28,990Indiana $28,480Tennessee $27,760Alabama $26,840Nevada $26,410Alaska $26,310Minnesota $25,470Arkansas $24,680Wyoming $23,920Montana $23,370Texas $23,240Mississippi $21,370Iowa $21,000Georgia $18,700South Carolina $18,370Oklahoma $17,910Louisiana $15,080
Working as Waiters and Waitresses in California
Nationally, about 2,271,000 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($36,080) 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 do Waiters and Waitresses make in California?
The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in California is $36,080 per year, or about $17.35 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,320 at the entry level to $68,950 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Waiters and Waitresses about 2% more than the national median of $35,230. California ranks 22nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Waiters and Waitresses?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $36,080 a year. About 229,970 Waiters and Waitresses are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Waiters and Waitresses 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.