Research Summary. Following comprehensive research by the Zippia data science team, we have compiled the latest details on server and hostess salaries by state in the United States for 2026:
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New York offers the highest server and hostess salary at $37,082
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Oklahoma has the lowest server and hostess salary at $18,830
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The national average salary for servers and hostesses is $28,020
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The national hourly wage for servers and hostesses stands at $13.47
For more information, refer to our specific methodology.
Background
Salary remains a crucial factor for job seekers across all demographics, as evidenced by numerous surveys. Many individuals inquire: how much do servers and hostesses earn in my area?
While individual earnings can vary based on numerous factors, we provide reliable data on average salaries for servers and hostesses by state, categorized by seniority level. Although your city’s figures may differ slightly from state averages, these statistics offer a general guideline for expected earnings.
The state showcasing the highest salary for servers and hostesses remains New York.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for server and hostess salaries:
Now, let’s explore the complete ranking of all the states.
Highest-Paid Servers And Hostesses By State
| Rank | State | Average Server And Hostess Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $37,082 | $27,000 | $49,000 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $34,782 | $26,000 | $45,000 |
| 3 | Vermont | $34,429 | $26,000 | $44,000 |
| 4 | California | $31,972 | $22,000 | $45,000 |
| 5 | Washington | $31,828 | $22,000 | $44,000 |
| 6 | Arizona | $30,418 | $21,000 | $43,000 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $30,073 | $22,000 | $39,000 |
| 8 | Maine | $30,057 | $23,000 | $38,000 |
| 9 | Oregon | $29,928 | $21,000 | $41,000 |
| 10 | Maryland | $29,065 | $21,000 | $39,000 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $28,570 | $21,000 | $37,000 |
| 12 | Delaware | $28,347 | $20,000 | $38,000 |
| 13 | West Virginia | $28,290 | $20,000 | $39,000 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $27,865 | $20,000 | $37,000 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $27,633 | $19,000 | $38,000 |
| 16 | Colorado | $27,600 | $19,000 | $39,000 |
| 17 | Hawaii | $27,568 | $20,000 | $37,000 |
| 18 | Michigan | $27,531 | $19,000 | $38,000 |
| 19 | New Hampshire | $27,290 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $27,047 | $19,000 | $36,000 |
| 21 | Illinois | $24,968 | $17,000 | $34,000 |
| 22 | Virginia | $24,932 | $18,000 | $34,000 |
| 23 | North Dakota | $24,860 | $17,000 | $34,000 |
| 24 | Texas | $24,266 | $17,000 | $34,000 |
| 25 | Alaska | $23,721 | $17,000 | $31,000 |
| 26 | Iowa | $23,441 | $16,000 | $32,000 |
| 27 | Ohio | $23,410 | $16,000 | $32,000 |
| 28 | Nevada | $23,386 | $16,000 | $33,000 |
| 29 | Idaho | $23,287 | $16,000 | $32,000 |
| 30 | Arkansas | $23,044 | $16,000 | $32,000 |
| 31 | Kentucky | $23,039 | $16,000 | $32,000 |
| 32 | Kansas | $22,893 | $16,000 | $32,000 |
| 33 | Utah | $22,852 | $16,000 | $32,000 |
| 34 | Indiana | $22,751 | $16,000 | $31,000 |
| 35 | Missouri | $22,607 | $16,000 | $31,000 |
| 36 | Wyoming | $22,295 | $15,000 | $31,000 |
| 37 | Georgia | $22,035 | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| 38 | New Mexico | $21,907 | $15,000 | $31,000 |
| 39 | Florida | $21,878 | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $21,811 | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| 41 | South Dakota | $21,593 | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| 42 | Wisconsin | $21,339 | $15,000 | $29,000 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $21,311 | $15,000 | $29,000 |
| 44 | Nebraska | $20,984 | $14,000 | $29,000 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $20,968 | $15,000 | $28,000 |
| 46 | Mississippi | $20,915 | $14,000 | $29,000 |
| 47 | Alabama | $20,853 | $14,000 | $29,000 |
| 48 | Montana | $20,041 | $14,000 | $27,000 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $19,974 | $14,000 | $28,000 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $18,830 | $13,000 | $26,000 |
Methodology: Server And Hostess Salary By State
To gain a comprehensive understanding of server and hostess salaries by state, Zippia compiles data from various reputable sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Federal Labor Commission (FLC), and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Additionally, we supplement this information with actual salaries listed in job postings. Our data science team then calculates a weighted average of these inputs to establish the average pay for servers and hostesses across states.
We ranked each state based on the average annual salary data for servers and hostesses derived from these estimates.
Server And Hostess Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for servers and hostesses?
The highest-paid state for servers and hostesses is New York, with an average salary of $37,082 per year.
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What city pays servers and hostesses the most?
Binghamton, NY offers the highest average salary for servers and hostesses at $37,097 per year.
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What is the worst state for servers and hostesses?
The state with the lowest average salary for servers and hostesses is Oklahoma, at $18,830 per year.
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.
