These Are The 10 States With The Highest Server Salaries For 2026

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When considering a career in the service industry, salary is often the most significant factor for workers. The crucial question remains: how much do servers earn in various states across the U.S. in 2026?

While individual salaries can vary based on numerous factors, there is comprehensive data available regarding average server salaries across states, categorized by experience level. Although your specific city might differ slightly from state averages, these figures provide a useful benchmark for expected earnings.

To gain insights into server salaries nationwide, we analyzed the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, reflecting average pay for servers by state.

Furthermore, we considered the cost of living in each state, recognizing that a salary in North Carolina holds different purchasing power compared to a salary in California.

The state offering the highest adjusted salary for servers is Michigan. Here’s a snapshot of the top ten states for server salaries:

Let’s delve deeper into how these salaries were calculated and examine a complete ranking of server salaries across all states.

How We Determined Server Pay by State

As previously mentioned, we utilized average annual salary data for servers from the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, specifically their “Occupational Employment Statistics.”

To ensure a fair comparison of salaries across states, we also factored in the cost of living in each area.

We created an index by dividing the average wage for a state by the cost of living relative to the national average. For instance, if the cost of living index in California is 135.9 and the average pay is $30,140, the index value would be:

$30,140 * (100 / 135.9) = $22,178

We then ranked each state based on this index, with the state exhibiting the highest salary index ranking achieving the top spot for average server salaries.

Here’s a comprehensive ranking of server salaries by state.

Detailed List of Server Salaries by State

Rank	State	Adjusted Salary	Average Wage	Cost Of Living
1	Michigan	$27,764	$24,710	89.0
2	West Virginia	$27,152	$25,360	93.4
3	Minnesota	$25,634	$25,840	100.8
4	Kentucky	$25,425	$23,010	90.5
5	North Dakota	$25,100	$24,950	99.4
6	Washington	$24,458	$25,730	105.2
7	Illinois	$24,196	$22,890	94.6
8	Nebraska	$24,181	$22,150	91.6
9	Indiana	$24,078	$21,550	89.5
10	Wyoming	$23,921	$21,960	91.8
11	Nevada	$23,901	$24,690	103.3
12	Idaho	$23,887	$22,000	92.1
13	South Dakota	$23,722	$24,600	103.7
14	Georgia	$23,708	$21,670	91.4
15	Tennessee	$23,210	$20,750	89.4
16	Florida	$23,001	$22,610	98.3
17	New York	$22,938	$30,050	131.0
18	Iowa	$22,824	$20,770	91.0
19	Alabama	$22,774	$20,770	91.2
20	Ohio	$22,761	$21,350	93.8
21	Delaware	$22,702	$23,020	101.4
22	Oklahoma	$22,634	$20,190	89.2
23	Utah	$22,387	$20,820	93.0
24	Colorado	$22,302	$23,150	103.8
25	Missouri	$22,245	$20,110	90.4
26	Arkansas	$22,215	$19,350	87.1
27	California	$22,178	$30,140	135.9
28	Mississippi	$21,990	$18,890	85.9
29	Arizona	$21,928	$21,490	98.0
30	Oregon	$21,877	$25,290	115.6
31	Pennsylvania	$21,794	$22,100	101.4
32	Connecticut	$21,769	$27,800	127.7
33	Wisconsin	$21,683	$20,990	96.8
34	Texas	$21,642	$19,630	90.7
35	Vermont	$21,610	$26,170	121.1
36	Montana	$21,557	$21,730	100.8
37	North Carolina	$21,267	$19,970	93.9
38	Kansas	$20,945	$18,830	89.9
39	Virginia	$20,555	$20,720	100.8
40	Louisiana	$20,495	$19,430	94.8
41	Rhode Island	$20,347	$24,560	120.7
42	South Carolina	$20,292	$20,130	99.2
43	Maine	$19,828	$21,970	110.8
44	Massachusetts	$19,715	$26,300	133.4
45	New Mexico	$19,709	$19,020	96.5
46	New Jersey	$19,696	$24,010	121.9
47	Maryland	$18,836	$23,640	125.5
48	New Hampshire	$18,666	$21,840	117.0
49	Alaska	$17,856	$23,410	131.1
50	Hawaii	$17,814	$29,910	167.9

In conclusion, understanding server salaries across different states can help you make informed decisions about your career in the service industry. Whether you’re considering relocation or simply seeking to understand your earning potential, this data provides valuable insights into what you can expect in various regions.

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

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.

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