Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in Alabama
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Alabama earn a median of $29,000 a year ($13.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,920 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,770 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $35,360. Alabama ranks 47th of 51 states for food servers, nonrestaurant pay. There are 1.4 food servers, nonrestaurant per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $29,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food servers, nonrestaurant in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,080 | $11.10 |
| 25th percentile | $27,010 | $12.99 |
| Median | $29,000 | $13.94 |
| 75th percentile | $30,860 | $14.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| Average (mean) | $29,110 | $14.00 |
Half of food servers, nonrestaurant earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,416.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,208.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,115.38 |
| Weekly | $557.69 |
| Hourly | $13.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alabama at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | $30,370 | 730 |
| Huntsville, AL | $30,180 | 290 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $29,750 | 140 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $29,640 | 180 |
| Mobile, AL | $29,560 | 260 |
| Decatur, AL | $29,220 | 60 |
| Montgomery, AL | $28,860 | 190 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $28,360 | 170 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $27,910 | 60 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $26,780 | 70 |
| Dothan, AL | $26,000 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for food servers, nonrestaurant
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $39,370 |
| California | $39,010 |
| Colorado | $38,900 |
| Washington | $38,870 |
| Alaska | $38,090 |
| District of Columbia | $37,920 |
| Hawaii | $37,920 |
| Maine | $37,680 |
| Vermont | $37,540 |
| North Dakota | $36,910 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $23,700 | $11.40 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,840 | $12.91 |
| Bartender | $27,980 | $13.45 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,870 | $13.40 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $27,930 | $13.43 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $27,120 | $13.04 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,130 | $12.56 |
| Dishwasher | $28,930 | $13.91 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $22,470 | $10.80 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $22,330 | $10.74 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $22,990 | $11.05 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food servers, nonrestaurant make in Alabama?
The median salary for food servers, nonrestaurant in Alabama is $29,000 a year, or $13.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food servers, nonrestaurant make in Alabama?
The top 10% of food servers, nonrestaurant in Alabama earn at least $35,770 a year. The top 25% earn $30,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for food servers, nonrestaurant in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,080 a year, and a quarter of food servers, nonrestaurant earn $27,010 or less.
How many food servers, nonrestaurant work in Alabama?
About 2,920 food servers, nonrestaurant are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.