California Salary Overview CA
VS
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Median in California
$37,690
Average (Mean)
$42,730
Employed in CA
29,570
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earns $1,790 more in California (+5.0%)
Key Metrics in California
Bartenders
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Median Salary
$35,900
$37,690
Mean Salary
$45,750
$42,730
Employment in California
69,790
29,570
Entry-Level (P10)
$33,340
$34,580
Top Earners (P90)
$79,780
$57,700
California vs National Average
How do California salaries compare to the U.S. average?
Bartenders
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
National Median
$32,436
$32,441
California vs National
+$3,463
+$5,248
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more in California: Bartenders or Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
In California, Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earns a higher median salary than Bartenders. The salary difference is $1,790 (5.0%) based on 2025 BLS data.
How does the Bartenders salary in California compare to the national average?
The median salary for Bartenders in California is $35,900, which is $3,463 above the national average of $32,436.
How does the Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in California compare nationally?
The median salary for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in California is $37,690, which is $5,248 above the national average of $32,441.
Where can I find Bartenders and Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary data?
All salary data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 data. Visit our individual salary pages for full state-by-state breakdowns.