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Food runner salary
Average food runner salary
$12.28
Average Food Runner Salary
The average food runner salary in the United States is $25,536 per year, or about $12 per hour. Salaries may vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and the type of establishment. For instance, food runners in upscale dining venues often earn higher wages due to greater service demands.
Where Can a Food Runner Earn More?
Food runners can expect higher salaries in states like California, New York, and Nevada, which have vibrant restaurant scenes. In these areas, average hourly wages can exceed $15, particularly in metropolitan regions.
Food Runner Salary Estimates
According to various industry sources, food runner salaries may vary widely across different regions. For example, food runners in larger cities generally earn more than their counterparts in smaller towns. Additionally, experience plays a crucial role in salary progression, with seasoned food runners often commanding higher pay.
Career Advancement
Working as a food runner can be a stepping stone to various culinary or management positions, providing valuable experience in customer service and restaurant operations. As such, many food runners transition into roles such as server or manager, increasing their earning potential significantly.
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Where can a Food Runner earn more?
Food runner salary estimates from across the web
Average food runner salary by state
The average food runner salary in Vermont, Washington, and California are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average food runner salary states are Delaware, Oklahoma, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for food runners
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana | $24,414 | $11.74 |
| 2 | North Carolina | $24,240 | $11.65 |
| 3 | Tennessee | $23,320 | $11.21 |
| 4 | Ohio | $24,507 | $11.78 |
| 5 | Washington | $27,472 | $13.21 |
| 6 | Texas | $23,389 | $11.24 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $25,839 | $12.42 |
| 8 | Vermont | $28,023 | $13.47 |
| 9 | Kentucky | $23,150 | $11.13 |
| 10 | Kansas | $23,803 | $11.44 |
| 11 | Oregon | $26,208 | $12.60 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $23,687 | $11.39 |
| 13 | Wisconsin | $23,815 | $11.45 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $26,695 | $12.83 |
| 15 | Maryland | $26,561 | $12.77 |
| 16 | New York | $25,921 | $12.46 |
| 17 | Connecticut | $25,559 | $12.29 |
| 18 | Colorado | $24,322 | $11.69 |
| 19 | Maine | $25,380 | $12.20 |
| 20 | Michigan | $22,950 | $11.03 |
| 21 | Rhode Island | $25,117 | $12.08 |
| 22 | New Mexico | $23,738 | $11.41 |
| 23 | Illinois | $24,571 | $11.81 |
| 24 | Georgia | $23,299 | $11.20 |
| 25 | Alabama | $22,858 | $10.99 |
| 26 | Mississippi | $22,114 | $10.63 |
| 27 | California | $27,036 | $13.00 |
| 28 | Montana | $22,521 | $10.83 |
| 29 | Arkansas | $22,952 | $11.03 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $23,638 | $11.36 |
| 31 | Virginia | $23,710 | $11.40 |
| 32 | New Hampshire | $23,729 | $11.41 |
| 33 | District of Columbia | $26,513 | $12.75 |
| 34 | Alaska | $25,663 | $12.34 |
| 35 | Arizona | $22,241 | $10.69 |
| 36 | New Jersey | $23,699 | $11.39 |
| 37 | Nebraska | $23,438 | $11.27 |
| 38 | Iowa | $22,523 | $10.83 |
| 39 | Nevada | $22,024 | $10.59 |
| 40 | Florida | $22,292 | $10.72 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $21,368 | $10.27 |
| 42 | Missouri | $22,407 | $10.77 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $21,938 | $10.55 |
| 44 | West Virginia | $20,778 | $9.99 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $21,384 | $10.28 |
| 46 | Idaho | $22,339 | $10.74 |
| 47 | Utah | $22,187 | $10.67 |
| 48 | Delaware | $21,699 | $10.43 |
| 49 | Wyoming | $20,464 | $9.84 |
| 50 | Hawaii | $24,142 | $11.61 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $20,882 | $10.04 |
Highest paying cities for food runners
The highest-paying cities for food runners are Seattle, WA, San Francisco, CA, and Boston, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $27,492 | $13.22 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $27,243 | $13.10 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $26,700 | $12.84 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $26,580 | $12.78 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $26,488 | $12.73 |
| 6 | Portland, OR | $26,172 | $12.58 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $25,867 | $12.44 |
| 8 | Portland, ME | $25,324 | $12.18 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $24,576 | $11.82 |
| 10 | Columbus, OH | $24,430 | $11.75 |
| 11 | Columbus, IN | $24,351 | $11.71 |
| 12 | Colorado Springs, CO | $24,329 | $11.70 |
| 13 | Jacksonville, NC | $24,279 | $11.67 |
| 14 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $24,128 | $11.60 |
| 15 | Philadelphia, PA | $23,737 | $11.41 |
| 16 | San Antonio, TX | $23,377 | $11.24 |
| 17 | Atlantic City, NJ | $23,316 | $11.21 |
| 18 | Atlanta, GA | $23,307 | $11.21 |
| 19 | Washington, MI | $23,045 | $11.08 |
| 20 | Jacksonville, AR | $22,973 | $11.04 |
Food Runners are the most in-demand in these five cities:
Food runner salary details
A food runner's salary ranges from $18,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $34,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a food runner's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| 75th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
| Average | $25,536 | $2,128 | $12 |
| 25th Percentile | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10 |
| 10th Percentile | $18,000 | $1,500 | $9 |
Highest paying food runner jobs
The highest paying types of food runners are associate food scientist, food expeditor, and runner.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waitress | $24,770 | $2,064 | $11.91 | 87,315 |
| Server/Barista | $30,749 | $2,562 | $14.78 | 173,073 |
| Cashier/Host | $24,581 | $2,048 | $11.82 | 131,740 |
| Line Cook | $32,895 | $2,741 | $15.81 | 168,993 |
| Server And Hostess | $28,020 | $2,335 | $13.47 | 97,109 |
| Restaurant Server | $24,558 | $2,047 | $11.81 | 141,250 |
Top companies hiring food runners now:
Which companies pay food runners the most?
Food runner salaries at University of Massachusetts Boston and Talamore Country Club are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average food runner salary at companies like Univ Of Colorado-Colorado Spgs and Lexington Country Club are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Massachusetts Boston | $42,416 | $20.39 |
| 2 | Talamore Country Club | $38,236 | $18.38 |
| 3 | Univ Of Colorado-Colorado Spgs | $38,214 | $18.37 |
| 4 | Lexington Country Club | $37,165 | $17.87 |
| 5 | Kroll | $36,480 | $17.54 |
| 6 | Syracuse University | $35,692 | $17.16 |
| 7 | Milwaukee Art Museum | $35,015 | $16.83 |
| 8 | University of Colorado Boulder | $34,657 | $16.66 |
| 9 | Aspen Snowmass | $34,583 | $16.63 |
| 10 | El Camino High School | $34,245 | $16.46 |
| 11 | Jeff Ruby | $34,140 | $16.41 |
| 12 | Maidstone Club | $33,663 | $16.18 |
| 13 | Scottsdale Insurance | $33,544 | $16.13 |
| 14 | Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurants | $33,415 | $16.06 |
| 15 | Capital City Club | $33,357 | $16.04 |
| 16 | SpaceX | $33,281 | $16.00 |
| 17 | HEI Hotels & Resorts | $33,073 | $15.90 |
| 18 | Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants | $32,774 | $15.76 |
| 19 | Amazon | $32,731 | $15.74 |
| 20 | Bertucci's | $32,347 | $15.55 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Food runner salary trends
The average food runner salary has risen by $5,770 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average food runner earned $19,766 annually, but today, they earn $25,536 a year. That works out to a 21% change in pay for food runners over the last decade.
Compare food runner salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average food runner salary over time
Compare food runner salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Food runner salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $25,500 | $12.28 | +4.7% |
| 2024 | $24,300 | $11.71 | +5.4% |
| 2023 | $23,000 | $11.08 | +5.0% |
| 2022 | $21,900 | $10.52 | +3.7% |
| 2021 | $21,100 | $10.13 | +2.7% |
Recently added food runner salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonesta Hotels | Dining Room Attendant-Kukui's Outlet | Lihue, HI | 06/30/2025 | $29,218 |
| Sonesta Hotels | Food Runner | Saint Louis, MO | 06/30/2025 | $22,957 |
| Outrigger Resorts | Food Runner | Kailua, HI | 06/30/2025 | $41,427 |
| Delaware North | Chophouse Food Runner, Truist Park | Atlanta, GA | 06/29/2025 | $15,131 |
| Pursuit | Dining Room Attendant & Event Staff (Grouse Mountain Lodge-Summer) | Whitefish, MT | 06/29/2025 | $22,018 |
| Hard Rock International | Food Runner-Council OAK | Atlantic City, NJ | 06/28/2025 | $38,776 |
| Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino | Food Runner-Council OAK | Atlantic City, NJ | 06/28/2025 | $38,776 |
| Oak View Group | Premium Attendant | | Kansas Athletics Performance Dining | Lawrence, KS | 06/28/2025 | $31,305 |
| Hyatt Hotels Corp | Andare Kitchen & Bar | Seasonal Host-Food Runner | Seattle, WA | 06/27/2025 | $54,784 |
| Delaware North Companies | Food Runner, Mardi Gras Casino | Cross Lanes, WV | 06/27/2025 | $25,044 |
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