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Restaurant server salary
Average restaurant server salary
$11.81
Understanding Restaurant Server Salaries
The average restaurant server salary varies significantly across the United States. As of October 2025, servers earn an average of $24,558 annually. Factors influencing this salary include experience, location, and the type of establishment. For example, servers in high-end restaurants typically earn more due to tips and higher base wages.
Salary Variations by State
Salary estimates indicate variation by state. States with higher living costs often provide higher salaries. For instance, servers in California and New York average significantly higher earnings compared to those in smaller markets.
Career Advancement Opportunities
As restaurant servers gain experience, they may take on roles such as shift supervisor or restaurant manager, leading to increased earnings. Additionally, pursuing certifications in hospitality can enhance earning potential and job prospects.
Resources for Salary Insights
For more detailed salary information, including estimates from multiple sources, check salary comparison websites and local job listings. Understanding regional differences can help servers negotiate better pay and find lucrative positions.
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Where can a Restaurant Server earn more?
Restaurant server salary estimates from across the web
Average restaurant server salary by state
The highest-paying states for restaurant servers are California, Washington, and Massachusetts. The lowest average restaurant server salary states are South Carolina, Alabama, and Louisiana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for restaurant servers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona | $26,754 | $12.86 |
| 2 | California | $32,428 | $15.59 |
| 3 | Colorado | $26,113 | $12.55 |
| 4 | Washington | $30,709 | $14.76 |
| 5 | Texas | $24,808 | $11.93 |
| 6 | Missouri | $25,792 | $12.40 |
| 7 | Maryland | $28,436 | $13.67 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $30,647 | $14.73 |
| 9 | Oregon | $28,619 | $13.76 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $28,753 | $13.82 |
| 11 | District of Columbia | $34,271 | $16.48 |
| 12 | Vermont | $29,148 | $14.01 |
| 13 | West Virginia | $22,432 | $10.78 |
| 14 | Virginia | $25,362 | $12.19 |
| 15 | Kentucky | $22,193 | $10.67 |
| 16 | New Jersey | $26,651 | $12.81 |
| 17 | Minnesota | $26,018 | $12.51 |
| 18 | New York | $26,875 | $12.92 |
| 19 | Delaware | $24,662 | $11.86 |
| 20 | Tennessee | $21,711 | $10.44 |
| 21 | Rhode Island | $25,436 | $12.23 |
| 22 | Kansas | $23,304 | $11.20 |
| 23 | Indiana | $22,096 | $10.62 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $22,155 | $10.65 |
| 25 | Wyoming | $21,557 | $10.36 |
| 26 | Florida | $22,198 | $10.67 |
| 27 | North Dakota | $23,293 | $11.20 |
| 28 | Georgia | $22,716 | $10.92 |
| 29 | New Hampshire | $23,231 | $11.17 |
| 30 | Nevada | $21,375 | $10.28 |
| 31 | Michigan | $21,150 | $10.17 |
| 32 | Idaho | $22,084 | $10.62 |
| 33 | Ohio | $20,914 | $10.05 |
| 34 | Illinois | $22,191 | $10.67 |
| 35 | Maine | $22,511 | $10.82 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $28,724 | $13.81 |
| 37 | Arkansas | $20,912 | $10.05 |
| 38 | New Mexico | $22,308 | $10.72 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $19,998 | $9.61 |
| 40 | Alaska | $23,491 | $11.29 |
| 41 | Alabama | $19,668 | $9.46 |
| 42 | North Carolina | $20,617 | $9.91 |
| 43 | Montana | $21,315 | $10.25 |
| 44 | Iowa | $20,937 | $10.07 |
| 45 | South Dakota | $20,964 | $10.08 |
| 46 | Utah | $20,857 | $10.03 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $19,523 | $9.39 |
| 48 | Mississippi | $19,040 | $9.15 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $18,502 | $8.90 |
| 50 | Nebraska | $20,384 | $9.80 |
| 51 | Wisconsin | $18,177 | $8.74 |
Highest paying cities for restaurant servers
The highest-paying cities for restaurant servers are Washington, DC, San Francisco, CA, and Seattle, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $34,261 | $16.47 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $32,666 | $15.70 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $30,725 | $14.77 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $30,697 | $14.76 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $28,595 | $13.75 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $26,932 | $12.95 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $26,782 | $12.88 |
| 8 | Washington, NJ | $26,583 | $12.78 |
| 9 | Aurora, CO | $26,117 | $12.56 |
| 10 | Saint Louis, MO | $25,775 | $12.39 |
| 11 | Arlington, VA | $25,380 | $12.20 |
| 12 | San Antonio, TX | $24,906 | $11.97 |
| 13 | Atlanta, GA | $22,684 | $10.91 |
| 14 | Portland, ME | $22,487 | $10.81 |
| 15 | Miami, FL | $22,257 | $10.70 |
| 16 | Philadelphia, PA | $22,218 | $10.68 |
| 17 | Chicago, IL | $22,166 | $10.66 |
| 18 | Columbus, IN | $22,133 | $10.64 |
| 19 | Knoxville, TN | $21,723 | $10.44 |
| 20 | Las Vegas, NV | $21,375 | $10.28 |
Restaurant server salary details
A restaurant server's salary ranges from $15,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $37,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a restaurant server's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| 75th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| Average | $24,558 | $2,047 | $12 |
| 25th Percentile | $19,000 | $1,583 | $9 |
| 10th Percentile | $15,000 | $1,250 | $7 |
Highest paying restaurant server jobs
The highest paying types of restaurant servers are caterer/server, bartender server, and fine dining server.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waitress | $24,770 | $2,064 | $11.91 | 87,315 |
| Waitstaff | $25,104 | $2,092 | $12.07 | 130,467 |
| Server And Hostess | $28,020 | $2,335 | $13.47 | 97,109 |
| Food Runner | $25,536 | $2,128 | $12.28 | 240,853 |
| Server/Barista | $30,749 | $2,562 | $14.78 | 173,073 |
| Cook/Server | $29,716 | $2,476 | $14.29 | 257,582 |
Top companies hiring restaurant servers now:
Which companies pay restaurant servers the most?
Restaurant server salaries at University of California, Berkeley and University of California are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average restaurant server salary at companies like Northampton Country Club and Lake Naomi Club are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley | $45,469 | $21.86 |
| 2 | University of California | $42,939 | $20.64 |
| 3 | Northampton Country Club | $41,717 | $20.06 |
| 4 | Lake Naomi Club | $39,998 | $19.23 |
| 5 | Bay Head Yacht Club | $39,736 | $19.10 |
| 6 | Cornell University | $39,039 | $18.77 |
| 7 | Kohler Co. | $36,335 | $17.47 |
| 8 | Springfield Golf & Country Club | $34,037 | $16.36 |
| 9 | Four Seasons | $32,622 | $15.68 |
| 10 | Tallgrass Technologies | $32,325 | $15.54 |
| 11 | University | $32,158 | $15.46 |
| 12 | Bethesda Country Club | $31,597 | $15.19 |
| 13 | Hyde Park Golf & Country Club | $31,133 | $14.97 |
| 14 | Erickson Senior Living | $30,794 | $14.80 |
| 15 | West | $29,669 | $14.26 |
| 16 | Kirby | $29,646 | $14.25 |
| 17 | Cajun Industries | $29,046 | $13.96 |
| 18 | Earth Fare | $29,020 | $13.95 |
| 19 | Texas Roadhouse | $28,811 | $13.85 |
| 20 | Sentry | $28,770 | $13.83 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Restaurant server salary trends
The average restaurant server salary has risen by $5,348 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average restaurant server earned $19,210 annually, but today, they earn $24,558 a year. That works out to a 19% change in pay for restaurant servers over the last decade.
Compare restaurant server salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average restaurant server salary over time
Compare restaurant server salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Restaurant server salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $24,600 | $11.81 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $23,700 | $11.38 | +4.8% |
| 2023 | $22,500 | $10.83 | +4.4% |
| 2022 | $21,500 | $10.35 | +4.0% |
| 2021 | $20,700 | $9.94 | +3.7% |
Recently added restaurant server salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonesta Hotels | Restaurant Server | Chicago, IL | 06/30/2025 | $25,795 |
| Sonesta Hotels | Restaurant Server/Runner | White Plains, NY | 06/30/2025 | $26,401 |
| Hilton | Restaurant Server | Albany, NY | 06/29/2025 | $22,164 |
| On The Border | Restaurant To GO Server | Rogers, AR | 06/29/2025 | $31,305 |
| Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma | Restaurant Server Choctaw Landing | Broken Bow, OK | 06/29/2025 | $20,870 |
| Procare HR | Restaurant Server | Houston, TX | 06/29/2025 | $28,488 |
| The Aspenwood Company-Clayton Oaks Living | Restaurant Server | Richmond, TX | 06/29/2025 | $29,218 |
| The Aspenwood Company-Spring Creek Village | Restaurant Server | Spring, TX | 06/29/2025 | $28,175 |
| The Aspenwood Company Parent | Restaurant Server | Houston, TX | 06/29/2025 | $29,218 |
| Stamford Hilton | Restaurant Server | Stamford, CT | 06/28/2025 | $19,451 |
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