Best cities for a server and hostess
The best cities for server and hostesses are Scottsdale, AZ, Oakland, CA, and Portland, OR, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for server and hostesses vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for server and hostesses in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a server and hostess or considering a move, this list of the best cities for server and hostesses to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for server and hostesses. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a server and hostess. While the absolute best city for server and hostesses is Scottsdale, AZ, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for server and hostesses in 2024.
If you're looking for a server and hostess job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for server and hostesses in 2025
1. Scottsdale, AZ
Server and hostess jobs in ScottsdaleTotal server and hostess jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $30,418 Lowest 10 percent warn: $21,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $43,000 Location quotient: 1.16 2. Oakland, CA
Server and hostess jobs in OaklandTotal server and hostess jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $32,419 Lowest 10 percent warn: $22,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $46,000 Location quotient: 1.26 3. Portland, OR
Server and hostess jobs in PortlandTotal server and hostess jobs: 10 Average annual salary: $29,838 Lowest 10 percent warn: $21,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $42,000 Location quotient: 1.77 4. Riverside, CA
Server and hostess jobs in RiversideTotal server and hostess jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $31,697 Lowest 10 percent warn: $22,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $44,000 Location quotient: 5.05 5. Detroit, MI
Server and hostess jobs in DetroitTotal server and hostess jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $27,614 Lowest 10 percent warn: $19,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $38,000 Location quotient: 1.14 6. El Paso, TX
Server and hostess jobs in El PasoTotal server and hostess jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $24,575 Lowest 10 percent warn: $17,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $35,000 Location quotient: 3.18 7. Washington, DC
Server and hostess jobs in WashingtonTotal server and hostess jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $38,524 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $52,000 Location quotient: 0.42 8. Seattle, WA
Server and hostess jobs in SeattleTotal server and hostess jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $31,944 Lowest 10 percent warn: $22,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $44,000 Location quotient: 0.21 9. Laredo, TX
Server and hostess jobs in LaredoTotal server and hostess jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $24,290 Lowest 10 percent warn: $17,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $34,000 Location quotient: 4.08 10. Islip, NY
Server and hostess jobs in IslipTotal server and hostess jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $37,244 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $49,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for server and hostesses
- Scottsdale, AZ
- Oakland, CA
- Portland, OR
- Riverside, CA
- Detroit, MI
- El Paso, TX
- Washington, DC
- Seattle, WA
- Laredo, TX
- Islip, NY
Detailed list of the best cities for a server and hostess
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scottsdale, AZ | $30,418 | $21,000 | 246,645 | 2 |
| 2 | Oakland, CA | $32,419 | $22,000 | 420,005 | 2 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $29,838 | $21,000 | 639,863 | 10 |
| 4 | Riverside, CA | $31,697 | $22,000 | 324,722 | 5 |
| 5 | Detroit, MI | $27,614 | $19,000 | 672,795 | 4 |
| 6 | El Paso, TX | $24,575 | $17,000 | 683,080 | 3 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $38,524 | $28,000 | 681,170 | 4 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | $31,944 | $22,000 | 704,352 | 3 |
| 9 | Laredo, TX | $24,290 | $17,000 | 257,156 | 1 |
| 10 | Islip, NY | $37,244 | $27,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 11 | Oyster Bay, NY | $37,199 | $27,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 12 | Los Angeles, CA | $31,824 | $22,000 | 3,976,322 | 8 |
| 13 | Brookhaven, NY | $37,352 | $28,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 14 | Hempstead, NY | $37,103 | $27,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 15 | New York, NY | $37,029 | $27,000 | 8,537,673 | 6 |
| 16 | Boston, MA | $34,805 | $26,000 | 673,184 | 3 |
| 17 | Glendale, AZ | $30,484 | $21,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 18 | Buffalo, NY | $36,692 | $27,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 19 | San Jose, CA | $32,368 | $22,000 | 1,025,350 | 3 |
| 20 | Phoenix, AZ | $30,465 | $21,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 21 | Chandler, AZ | $30,437 | $21,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 22 | Corpus Christi, TX | $24,247 | $17,000 | 325,733 | 1 |
| 23 | Gilbert, AZ | $30,422 | $21,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 24 | Fort Worth, TX | $24,195 | $17,000 | 854,113 | 8 |
| 25 | Mesa, AZ | $30,412 | $21,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 26 | San Francisco, CA | $32,450 | $22,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 27 | Tucson, AZ | $30,332 | $21,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 28 | Fremont, CA | $32,383 | $22,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 29 | Stockton, CA | $32,261 | $22,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 30 | Austin, TX | $24,270 | $17,000 | 947,890 | 11 |
| 31 | Cleveland, OH | $24,117 | $17,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 32 | Sacramento, CA | $32,252 | $22,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 33 | Arlington, TX | $24,190 | $17,000 | 392,772 | 1 |
| 34 | Fresno, CA | $32,049 | $22,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 35 | Minneapolis, MN | $27,596 | $19,000 | 413,651 | 1 |
| 36 | Philadelphia, PA | $27,191 | $20,000 | 1,567,872 | 1 |
| 37 | Bakersfield, CA | $31,935 | $22,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 38 | Baltimore, MD | $29,224 | $21,000 | 614,664 | 5 |
| 39 | Saint Paul, MN | $27,619 | $19,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 40 | Long Beach, CA | $31,788 | $22,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 41 | Anaheim, CA | $31,761 | $22,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 42 | Santa Ana, CA | $31,752 | $22,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 43 | Dallas, TX | $24,183 | $17,000 | 1,317,929 | 10 |
| 44 | Irvine, CA | $31,738 | $22,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 45 | Colorado Springs, CO | $27,613 | $19,000 | 465,101 | 2 |
| 46 | Pittsburgh, PA | $26,100 | $18,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 47 | Toledo, OH | $23,705 | $17,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 48 | San Diego, CA | $31,596 | $22,000 | 1,406,630 | - |
| 49 | Chula Vista, CA | $31,566 | $22,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 50 | San Antonio, TX | $24,287 | $17,000 | 1,492,510 | 2 |
Highest paying cities for server and hostesses
| Rank | City | Avg. server and hostess salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Binghamton, NY | $37,097 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $34,805 |
| 3 | Modesto, CA | $32,228 |
| 4 | Bangor, ME | $29,898 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $29,838 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $29,224 |
| 7 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $27,588 |
| 8 | Battle Creek, MI | $26,956 |
| 9 | Aurora, IL | $24,944 |
| 10 | Austin, TX | $24,270 |
| 11 | Las Vegas, NV | $23,317 |
| 12 | Fayetteville, AR | $23,087 |
| 13 | Gary, IN | $22,999 |
| 14 | Wichita, KS | $22,882 |
| 15 | Wentzville, MO | $22,668 |
| 16 | Atlanta, GA | $22,021 |
| 17 | Winter Park, FL | $21,922 |
| 18 | Florence, SC | $21,453 |
| 19 | Jackson, MS | $20,926 |
| 20 | Bessemer, AL | $20,881 |
Server and hostess best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025