Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of servers that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of servers:
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Caterer/Server is the highest-paid type of server with an average salary of $33,737 and an average hourly rate of $16.22.
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The second highest-paying type of server is bartender server, with an average salary of $32,591.
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The average server salary is $29,901 per year, and the average hourly pay is $14.38.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a server, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of servers are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of servers:
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Caterer/Server
Average Salary: $33,737
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Bartender Server
Average Salary: $32,591
Bartender servers are employees who work in the restaurant’s bar area. They are responsible for assembling customers’ drink orders and serving these to customers. They should be sound drink mixers and must be familiar with cocktail combinations and other mixes. They should also know the ingredients of the restaurant’s drinks and should be able to use alternatives should specific components be unavailable. Some bartender servers engage in flairtending, a way of mixing drinks that entertains the guests waiting for their drinks.
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Fine Dining Server
Average Salary: $32,140
Fine dining servers the people who make your stay at a restaurant enjoyable. They deliver well-written orders for the kitchen to prepare and bring your food and beverage. Being a fine dining server is no easy task, as certain skill sets need to be met in order to become an effective dining server. An efficient server is detail-oriented, observant to the needs of the diners, and intuitive. An extensive knowledge of wines and other specific food categories may be required depending on the restaurant.
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Assistant Manager/Server
Average Salary: $31,857
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Server/Barista
Average Salary: $30,749
A server/barista is someone who makes and serves beverages and foods, such as coffee, tea, and sandwiches or baked goods. He or she should be able to explain menu items to customers to ensure customer satisfaction. Other responsibilities include knowing food and beverage quality controls and updating displays to attract customers. The core skills that a server/barista should possess include excellent listening and communication skills and the ability to cope up with a physically demanding work environment. A candidate with a high school diploma or equivalent could qualify for the position.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various server that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Servers
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caterer/Server | |
| 2 | Bartender Server | |
| 3 | Fine Dining Server | |
| 4 | Assistant Manager/Server | |
| 5 | Server/Barista | |
| 6 | Cook/Server | |
| 7 | Dining Room Server | |
| 8 | Banquet Server | |
| 9 | Lead Server | |
| 10 | Line Server | |
| 11 | Server And Hostess | |
| 12 | Food And Beverage Server | |
| 13 | Room Service Server | |
| 14 | Hostess | |
| 15 | Cocktail Server | |
| 16 | Beverage Server | |
| 17 | Food Runner | |
| 18 | Food Server | |
| 19 | Waitress | |
| 20 | Restaurant Server |
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for servers.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Server Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid server job?
The highest-paid server job is a caterer/server. Caterer/Servers earn an average salary of $33,737, which is $ 16.22 hourly.
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What is a good salary for a server?
A good salary for a server is $29,901 or more. The average server salary is $29,901, so those making at least $29,901 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average server salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a server, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $29,901 average, as this includes all servers of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Server jobs pay well?
No, server jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some server jobs pay better than others, but the average server salary of $29,901 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many server jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of servers earning $0 a year on average.
Servers’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a server. Do your research on the going rate for a server in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do servers get paid the most?
Servers get paid the most in Arizona. In Arizona, servers earn an average annual salary of $30,663 and an average hourly wage of $14.74.
Following AZ, the states with the highest-paid servers are West Virginia, New York, and Massachusetts, with average annual salaries of $29,566, $36,333, and $36,211 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid server salaries are:
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Washington, DC – $40,480
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New York, NY – $36,327
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Boston, MA – $36,188
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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.
