Food Servers, Nonrestaurant Salary in 2026
How Much Do Food Servers, Nonrestaurants Make?
Food Servers, Nonrestaurants earn a median annual salary of $34,460 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $26,590 at the 10th percentile to $44,770 at the 90th percentile — a range of $18,180. The highest-paying state is Colorado at $38,180.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $26,590 |
| 25th percentile | $29,800 |
| Median (50th) | $34,460 |
| 75th percentile | $37,550 |
| 90th percentile | $44,770 |
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Coloradotop | $38,180 |
| New York | $38,010 |
| Washington | $37,770 |
| California | $37,690 |
| District of Columbia | $37,570 |
| Hawaii | $37,470 |
| Massachusetts | $36,540 |
| New Hampshire | $36,110 |
| Vermont | $36,040 |
| Oregon | $36,020 |
| Connecticut | $35,780 |
| North Dakota | $35,730 |
| New Jersey | $35,310 |
| Minnesota | $35,300 |
| Maine | $35,270 |
| Arizona | $35,150 |
| Maryland | $35,020 |
| Wisconsin | $34,490 |
| Illinois | $34,380 |
| Virginia | $33,920 |
| Nevada | $33,740 |
| Rhode Island | $33,630 |
| Florida | $32,170 |
| Wyoming | $32,050 |
| Georgia | $31,900 |
| Michigan | $31,720 |
| Delaware | $31,690 |
| Indiana | $31,670 |
| Montana | $31,670 |
| Alaska | $31,490 |
| Idaho | $31,200 |
| New Mexico | $31,100 |
| Kentucky | $31,080 |
| Missouri | $31,080 |
| Pennsylvania | $31,070 |
| Nebraska | $30,930 |
| South Dakota | $30,920 |
| North Carolina | $30,560 |
| South Carolina | $30,150 |
| Texas | $29,590 |
| West Virginia | $29,480 |
| Ohio | $29,380 |
| Iowa | $29,270 |
| Tennessee | $29,050 |
| Utah | $28,280 |
| Alabama | $27,810 |
| Oklahoma | $27,130 |
| Arkansas | $26,580 |
| Kansas | $26,250 |
| Louisiana | $25,550 |
| Mississippi | $24,580 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Food Servers, Nonrestaurants
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$26,590 – $29,800 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$34,460 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$37,550 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $44,770+ |
How to Earn More as a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Food Servers, Nonrestaurants in Kahului-Wailuku, HI earn $57,540 — $23,080 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($37,550) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurantthis career | $34,460 |
| Food Service Manager | $65,310 |
| Chefs and Head Cook | $60,990 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Worker Supervisor | $42,010 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,160 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Food Servers, Nonrestaurant requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 35-3041.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.