National Salary Overview
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Median Salary
$31,012
Average (Mean)
$32,463
Employed Nationwide
267,840
VS
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earns $929 more (3.1%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$31,012
$30,083
Average (Mean) Salary
$32,463
$35,911
Total Employment
267,840
2,237,890
States with Higher Pay
32
19
Salary by State: Food Servers, Nonrestaurant vs Waiters and Waitresses
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pays more in 32 states; Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 19.
| State | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | Waiters and Waitresses | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $26,590 | $20,210 | +$6,380 | ||
| Alaska | $33,630 | $26,610 | +$7,020 | ||
| Arizona | $34,070 | $43,780 | $-9,710 | ||
| Arkansas | $26,920 | $26,160 | +$760 | ||
| California | $36,790 | $34,780 | +$2,010 | ||
| Colorado | $36,420 | $33,020 | +$3,400 | ||
| Connecticut | $35,130 | $35,530 | $-400 | ||
| Delaware | $29,060 | $28,150 | +$910 | ||
| District of Columbia | $37,280 | $37,390 | $-110 | ||
| Florida | $30,190 | $29,940 | +$250 | ||
| Georgia | $29,820 | $23,030 | +$6,790 | ||
| Hawaii | $35,660 | $28,180 | +$7,480 | ||
| Idaho | $28,810 | $29,710 | $-900 | ||
| Illinois | $31,940 | $28,030 | +$3,910 | ||
| Indiana | $29,570 | $23,990 | +$5,580 | ||
| Iowa | $29,350 | $27,000 | +$2,350 | ||
| Kansas | $23,880 | $30,520 | $-6,640 | ||
| Kentucky | $29,810 | $21,360 | +$8,450 | ||
| Louisiana | $26,560 | $22,230 | +$4,330 | ||
| Maine | $33,080 | $37,920 | $-4,840 | ||
| Maryland | $33,870 | $33,760 | +$110 | ||
| Massachusetts | $35,770 | $35,070 | +$700 | ||
| Michigan | $30,560 | $35,400 | $-4,840 | ||
| Minnesota | $34,040 | $23,850 | +$10,190 | ||
| Mississippi | $22,880 | $20,330 | +$2,550 | ||
| Missouri | $27,970 | $33,010 | $-5,040 | ||
| Montana | $30,390 | $20,990 | +$9,400 | ||
| Nebraska | $29,390 | $30,120 | $-730 | ||
| Nevada | $31,760 | $24,960 | +$6,800 | ||
| New Hampshire | $33,700 | $34,730 | $-1,030 | ||
| New Jersey | $34,310 | $37,270 | $-2,960 | ||
| New Mexico | $28,390 | $30,350 | $-1,960 | ||
| New York | $36,910 | $41,540 | $-4,630 | ||
| North Carolina | $29,430 | $21,060 | +$8,370 | ||
| North Dakota | $33,780 | $29,540 | +$4,240 | ||
| Ohio | $29,150 | $28,950 | +$200 | ||
| Oklahoma | $23,650 | $19,140 | +$4,510 | ||
| Oregon | $34,500 | $31,110 | +$3,390 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $30,680 | $29,710 | +$970 | ||
| Rhode Island | $32,100 | $31,940 | +$160 | ||
| South Carolina | $29,200 | $18,680 | +$10,520 | ||
| South Dakota | $32,030 | $28,000 | +$4,030 | ||
| Tennessee | $28,830 | $27,060 | +$1,770 | ||
| Texas | $26,920 | $27,030 | $-110 | ||
| Utah | $27,000 | $31,860 | $-4,860 | ||
| Vermont | $33,090 | $60,300 | $-27,210 | ||
| Virginia | $30,540 | $34,150 | $-3,610 | ||
| Washington | $36,370 | $48,980 | $-12,610 | ||
| West Virginia | $27,750 | $27,950 | $-200 | ||
| Wisconsin | $31,510 | $28,090 | +$3,420 | ||
| Wyoming | $30,610 | $21,790 | +$8,820 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Food Servers, Nonrestaurant or Waiters and Waitresses?
On average across all states, a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earns more than a Waiters and Waitresses. The national median salary difference is $929 (3.1%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earn more than a Waiters and Waitresses?
A Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earns a higher median salary than a Waiters and Waitresses in 32 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 19 states.
What is the median salary for a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant vs Waiters and Waitresses?
The national median salary for a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant is $31,012 per year, compared to $30,083 for a Waiters and Waitresses, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Food Servers, Nonrestaurant or Waiters and Waitresses?
There are more people employed as Waiters and Waitresses. BLS reports approximately 267,840 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant positions and 2,237,890 Waiters and Waitresses positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant or Waiters and Waitresses?
Both Food Servers, Nonrestaurant and Waiters and Waitresses are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
Explore Career Options
Build a Professional Resume Get Certified & Earn More Learn a New Language Build In-Demand Tech Skills Explore Top Courses Advance Your CareerCompare After-Tax Take-Home Pay
See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.