Best cities for a lead server
The best cities for lead servers are Fresno, CA, Seattle, WA, and Brookhaven, NY, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for lead servers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for lead servers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a lead server or considering a move, this list of the best cities for lead servers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for lead servers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a lead server. While the absolute best city for lead servers is Fresno, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for lead servers in 2024.
If you're looking for a lead server job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for lead servers in 2025
1. Fresno, CA
Total lead server jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $44,786 Lowest 10 percent warn: $17,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $116,000 Location quotient: 8.38 2. Seattle, WA
Total lead server jobs: 10 Average annual salary: $43,297 Lowest 10 percent warn: $16,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $113,000 Location quotient: 1.85 3. Brookhaven, NY
Total lead server jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $51,228 Lowest 10 percent warn: $17,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $154,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Islip, NY
Total lead server jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $51,116 Lowest 10 percent warn: $17,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $152,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Oyster Bay, NY
Total lead server jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $50,905 Lowest 10 percent warn: $17,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $152,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. New York, NY
Total lead server jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $50,650 Lowest 10 percent warn: $17,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $149,000 Location quotient: 0.33 7. Hempstead, NY
Total lead server jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $50,861 Lowest 10 percent warn: $17,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $150,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. San Francisco, CA
Total lead server jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $48,263 Lowest 10 percent warn: $18,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 1.25 9. Irvine, CA
Total lead server jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $41,146 Lowest 10 percent warn: $17,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $99,000 Location quotient: 1.72 10. Glendale, AZ
Total lead server jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $30,089 Lowest 10 percent warn: $13,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $65,000 Location quotient: 11.35
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Best cities for lead servers
- Fresno, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Brookhaven, NY
- Islip, NY
- Oyster Bay, NY
- New York, NY
- Hempstead, NY
- San Francisco, CA
- Irvine, CA
- Glendale, AZ
- (3 lead server jobs)
- (10 lead server jobs)
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- (0 lead server jobs)
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- (3 lead server jobs)
- (2 lead server jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a lead server
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fresno, CA | $44,786 | $17,000 | 522,053 | 3 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $43,297 | $16,000 | 704,352 | 10 |
| 3 | Brookhaven, NY | $51,228 | $17,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 4 | Islip, NY | $51,116 | $17,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 5 | Oyster Bay, NY | $50,905 | $17,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 6 | New York, NY | $50,650 | $17,000 | 8,537,673 | 7 |
| 7 | Hempstead, NY | $50,861 | $17,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | $48,263 | $18,000 | 870,887 | 8 |
| 9 | Irvine, CA | $41,146 | $17,000 | 266,122 | 3 |
| 10 | Glendale, AZ | $30,089 | $13,000 | 245,895 | 2 |
| 11 | Boston, MA | $49,505 | $15,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 12 | Jersey City, NJ | $45,909 | $15,000 | 264,152 | 1 |
| 13 | Philadelphia, PA | $37,538 | $13,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 14 | Anchorage, AK | $58,401 | $23,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 15 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $61,101 | $54,000 | 351,792 | - |
| 16 | Oakland, CA | $48,033 | $17,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 17 | Fremont, CA | $47,415 | $17,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 18 | Stockton, CA | $47,367 | $17,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 19 | San Jose, CA | $46,994 | $17,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 20 | Scottsdale, AZ | $30,051 | $13,000 | 246,645 | 2 |
| 21 | Newark, NJ | $45,841 | $15,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 22 | Gilbert, AZ | $30,006 | $13,000 | 237,133 | 1 |
| 23 | San Diego, CA | $40,734 | $17,000 | 1,406,630 | 3 |
| 24 | Columbus, OH | $27,183 | $12,000 | 860,090 | 4 |
| 25 | Sacramento, CA | $48,203 | $18,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 26 | Pittsburgh, PA | $30,401 | $12,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 27 | Chandler, AZ | $30,020 | $13,000 | 247,477 | 1 |
| 28 | Los Angeles, CA | $41,524 | $16,000 | 3,976,322 | 3 |
| 29 | Louisville, KY | $25,592 | $12,000 | 597,337 | 3 |
| 30 | Buffalo, NY | $43,195 | $14,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 31 | Portland, OR | $38,954 | $15,000 | 639,863 | 1 |
| 32 | Washington, DC | $49,085 | $18,000 | 681,170 | - |
| 33 | Riverside, CA | $41,138 | $17,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 34 | Bakersfield, CA | $42,888 | $16,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 35 | Baltimore, MD | $42,237 | $15,000 | 614,664 | - |
| 36 | Chula Vista, CA | $40,684 | $17,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 37 | Cleveland, OH | $28,918 | $11,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 38 | Raleigh, NC | $27,274 | $12,000 | 458,880 | 2 |
| 39 | Long Beach, CA | $41,311 | $16,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 40 | Anaheim, CA | $41,255 | $16,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 41 | Santa Ana, CA | $41,202 | $16,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 42 | Detroit, MI | $29,125 | $11,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 43 | Toledo, OH | $27,665 | $11,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 44 | Phoenix, AZ | $30,078 | $13,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 45 | Cincinnati, OH | $26,356 | $12,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 46 | Virginia Beach, VA | $34,694 | $14,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 47 | Norfolk, VA | $34,512 | $14,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 48 | Mesa, AZ | $30,010 | $13,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 49 | Durham, NC | $27,312 | $12,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 50 | Chesapeake, VA | $34,185 | $14,000 | 237,940 | - |
Highest paying cities for lead servers
| Rank | City | Avg. lead server salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $50,650 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $49,505 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $48,263 |
| 4 | Hartford, CT | $47,358 |
| 5 | Newark, NJ | $45,841 |
| 6 | Seattle, WA | $43,297 |
| 7 | Johnston, RI | $41,815 |
| 8 | Rockville, MD | $40,688 |
| 9 | Lake Oswego, OR | $38,999 |
| 10 | Philadelphia, PA | $37,538 |
| 11 | Alexandria, VA | $36,330 |
| 12 | Scottsdale, AZ | $30,051 |
| 13 | Detroit, MI | $29,125 |
| 14 | Chicago, IL | $28,617 |
| 15 | Denver, CO | $27,235 |
| 16 | Columbus, OH | $27,183 |
| 17 | Fayetteville, NC | $26,586 |
| 18 | Sandy Springs, GA | $25,859 |
| 19 | Green Bay, WI | $24,968 |
| 20 | Austin, TX | $24,558 |
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Updated January 8, 2025