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The 10 Best States for Servers in 2026
As one of the most prevalent occupations in the U.S., servers play a vital role in the hospitality industry. Opportunities for servers span across all states, not just concentrated in tourist-heavy areas like California or the South. With the evolution of dining experiences and the increase in remote/hybrid work trends, the landscape for servers continues to evolve.
At Zippia, we aim to highlight where servers can find the best job opportunities, competitive salaries, and favorable working conditions.
Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), we analyzed the latest numbers to determine which states offer the best environments for servers in 2026.
These states represent the pinnacle of opportunities for waitstaff in 2026. Curious how we arrived at this ranking? Keep reading to uncover our methodology and insights into the top ten states for servers.
For additional insights into the job market, explore these articles:
- Best Companies to Work For in Jacksonville
- 9 Best Companies To Work For In Miami Beach
- 10 Best Startups to Work For in Tampa
How We Determined the Best States for Servers
At Zippia, we connect with a diverse range of job seekers, and our research indicates two primary factors that people prioritize in their job search:
- Job Availability
- Competitive Pay
To identify the best states for servers, we evaluated job availability and salary potential based on the following criteria obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics for 2026:
- Location Quotient: A metric indicating how common a job is in a specific state.
- Average Annual Salary.
- Average Entry-Level Salary.
- Average Salary for Experienced Servers.
To ensure a fair comparison of salaries across states, we adjusted the salary data based on the cost of living in each state. This approach accounts for the fact that salaries can vary significantly depending on local living expenses. For instance, while California may offer higher salaries, the cost of living can offset the financial benefits compared to states like Illinois.
We ranked each state according to the criteria above, assigning scores from 1 to 50, with 1 representing the best performance. The state with the lowest overall score earned the title of the best state for servers in America.
1. Florida
Total Jobs: 211,860
Average Annual Salary: $26,120
Average Entry Level Salary: $17,870
Average Experienced Salary: $45,670
Location Quotient: 1.38
2. Michigan
Total Jobs: 80,880
Average Annual Salary: $23,920
Average Entry Level Salary: $19,280
Average Experienced Salary: $36,020
Location Quotient: 1.05
3. Arizona
Total Jobs: 48,830
Average Annual Salary: $30,220
Average Entry Level Salary: $21,850
Average Experienced Salary: $48,620
Location Quotient: 0.98
4. Washington
Total Jobs: 54,770
Average Annual Salary: $35,930
Average Entry Level Salary: $24,260
Average Experienced Salary: $61,830
Location Quotient: 0.94
5. Vermont
Total Jobs: 5,590
Average Annual Salary: $34,560
Average Entry Level Salary: $21,850
Average Experienced Salary: $52,260
Location Quotient: 1.03
6. Maine
Total Jobs: 12,890
Average Annual Salary: $27,550
Average Entry Level Salary: $20,810
Average Experienced Salary: $41,140
Location Quotient: 1.19
7. Colorado
Total Jobs: 50,390
Average Annual Salary: $25,510
Average Entry Level Salary: $21,220
Average Experienced Salary: $38,410
Location Quotient: 1.08
8. Nebraska
Total Jobs: 15,480
Average Annual Salary: $25,610
Average Entry Level Salary: $19,080
Average Experienced Salary: $40,370
Location Quotient: 0.89
9. Hawaii
Total Jobs: 19,130
Average Annual Salary: $52,110
Average Entry Level Salary: $22,150
Average Experienced Salary: $84,600
Location Quotient: 1.67
10. Texas
Total Jobs: 216,670
Average Annual Salary: $23,520
Average Entry Level Salary: $16,410
Average Experienced Salary: $39,750
Location Quotient: 1.0
There You Have It – The Best States to Be a Server
If you’re starting your career as a server, these states should top your list for high pay, abundant job opportunities, and potential for career advancement.
For a contrast, here are the states that currently rank the lowest for server opportunities:
For further reading, explore these links:
- 100 Highest Paying Jobs In Fort Lauderdale
- 100 Highest Paying Jobs In Miami
- 100 Highest Paying Jobs In Orlando
- 100 Highest Paying Jobs In Tampa
- 100 Highest Paying Jobs In Florida
- 100 Largest Companies In Florida
Detailed List of the Best States for Servers
| Rank | State | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | $26,120 |
| 2 | Michigan | $23,920 |
| 3 | Arizona | $30,220 |
| 4 | Washington | $35,930 |
| 5 | Vermont | $34,560 |
| 6 | Maine | $27,550 |
| 7 | Colorado | $25,510 |
| 8 | Nebraska | $25,610 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $52,110 |
| 10 | Texas | $23,520 |
| 11 | Wyoming | $23,670 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $25,540 |
| 13 | Oregon | $28,640 |
| 14 | Ohio | $22,650 |
| 15 | New York | $34,460 |
| 16 | West Virginia | $23,140 |
| 17 | Indiana | $22,300 |
| 18 | Illinois | $22,900 |
| 19 | North Carolina | $22,400 |
| 20 | Massachusetts | $31,920 |
| 21 | Mississippi | $20,560 |
| 22 | Virginia | $24,070 |
| 23 | Utah | $24,000 |
| 24 | Missouri | $21,420 |
| 25 | Nevada | $24,980 |
| 26 | Iowa | $21,850 |
| 27 | Rhode Island | $27,380 |
| 28 | Delaware | $23,690 |
| 29 | Oklahoma | $20,060 |
| 30 | Pennsylvania | $24,850 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $23,330 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $19,870 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $20,770 |
| 34 | Georgia | $20,280 |
| 35 | Idaho | $20,780 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $20,040 |
| 37 | New Hampshire | $24,850 |
| 38 | Montana | $20,990 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $21,930 |
| 40 | Kansas | $20,140 |
| 41 | Alabama | $19,750 |
| 42 | California | $30,250 |
| 43 | Louisiana | $18,630 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $19,450 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $20,290 |
| 46 | Connecticut | $26,350 |
| 47 | New Jersey | $27,530 |
| 48 | North Dakota | $21,140 |
| 49 | Maryland | $24,160 |
| 50 | Alaska | $25,610 |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
