National Salary Overview
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Median Salary
$33,726
Average (Mean)
$34,997
Employed Nationwide
293,910
VS
Waiters and Waitresses earns $238 more (0.7%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$33,726
$33,964
Average (Mean) Salary
$34,997
$39,648
Total Employment
293,910
2,270,900
States with Higher Pay
24
27
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 24 states; Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 27.
| State | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | Waiters and Waitresses | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $29,000 | $26,840 | +$2,160 | ||
| Alaska | $38,090 | $26,310 | +$11,780 | ||
| Arizona | $35,390 | $43,950 | $-8,560 | ||
| Arkansas | $27,600 | $24,680 | +$2,920 | ||
| California | $39,010 | $36,080 | +$2,930 | ||
| Colorado | $38,900 | $44,860 | $-5,960 | ||
| Connecticut | $35,950 | $37,770 | $-1,820 | ||
| Delaware | $31,430 | $36,880 | $-5,450 | ||
| District of Columbia | $37,920 | $47,850 | $-9,930 | ||
| Florida | $33,930 | $36,150 | $-2,220 | ||
| Georgia | $31,530 | $18,700 | +$12,830 | ||
| Hawaii | $37,920 | $62,390 | $-24,470 | ||
| Idaho | $34,220 | $30,050 | +$4,170 | ||
| Illinois | $35,080 | $31,200 | +$3,880 | ||
| Indiana | $31,840 | $28,480 | +$3,360 | ||
| Iowa | $30,110 | $21,000 | +$9,110 | ||
| Kansas | $29,040 | $36,120 | $-7,080 | ||
| Kentucky | $32,200 | $29,660 | +$2,540 | ||
| Louisiana | $27,200 | $15,080 | +$12,120 | ||
| Maine | $37,680 | $43,370 | $-5,690 | ||
| Maryland | $36,650 | $36,750 | $-100 | ||
| Massachusetts | $36,750 | $38,460 | $-1,710 | ||
| Michigan | $34,260 | $37,760 | $-3,500 | ||
| Minnesota | $36,000 | $25,470 | +$10,530 | ||
| Mississippi | $27,250 | $21,370 | +$5,880 | ||
| Missouri | $31,840 | $29,400 | +$2,440 | ||
| Montana | $32,090 | $23,370 | +$8,720 | ||
| Nebraska | $31,540 | $33,770 | $-2,230 | ||
| Nevada | $36,030 | $26,410 | +$9,620 | ||
| New Hampshire | $36,710 | $38,430 | $-1,720 | ||
| New Jersey | $36,390 | $44,960 | $-8,570 | ||
| New Mexico | $35,740 | $36,920 | $-1,180 | ||
| New York | $39,370 | $47,020 | $-7,650 | ||
| North Carolina | $31,460 | $32,150 | $-690 | ||
| North Dakota | $36,910 | $30,890 | +$6,020 | ||
| Ohio | $30,440 | $36,700 | $-6,260 | ||
| Oklahoma | $28,490 | $17,910 | +$10,580 | ||
| Oregon | $36,620 | $48,410 | $-11,790 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $33,300 | $34,690 | $-1,390 | ||
| Rhode Island | $34,860 | $35,420 | $-560 | ||
| South Carolina | $31,740 | $18,370 | +$13,370 | ||
| South Dakota | $31,980 | $28,990 | +$2,990 | ||
| Tennessee | $30,670 | $27,760 | +$2,910 | ||
| Texas | $29,300 | $23,240 | +$6,060 | ||
| Utah | $30,170 | $31,150 | $-980 | ||
| Vermont | $37,540 | $59,140 | $-21,600 | ||
| Virginia | $35,090 | $44,760 | $-9,670 | ||
| Washington | $38,870 | $56,130 | $-17,260 | ||
| West Virginia | $30,170 | $35,380 | $-5,210 | ||
| Wisconsin | $34,670 | $29,670 | +$5,000 | ||
| Wyoming | $33,090 | $23,920 | +$9,170 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Food Servers, Nonrestaurant vs Waiters and Waitresses salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Food Servers, Nonrestaurant or Waiters and Waitresses?
On average across all states, a Waiters and Waitresses earns more than a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant. The national median salary difference is $238 (0.7%) based on 2025 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 24 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Waiters and Waitresses pays more in 27 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 $33,726 per year, compared to $33,964 for a Waiters and Waitresses, according to 2025 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 293,910 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant positions and 2,270,900 Waiters and Waitresses positions nationwide (2025).
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.
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