Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in California
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in California earn a median of $39,010 a year ($18.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 32,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,550 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $35,360. California ranks 2nd of 51 states for food servers, nonrestaurant pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.8 food servers, nonrestaurant per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food servers, nonrestaurant in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,120 | $16.88 |
| 25th percentile | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Median | $39,010 | $18.75 |
| 75th percentile | $46,900 | $22.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,550 | $27.67 |
| Average (mean) | $43,580 | $20.95 |
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 | $3,250.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,625.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,500.38 |
| Weekly | $750.19 |
| Hourly | $18.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,010 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $46,210 | 1,960 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $45,030 | 50 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $44,710 | 4,160 |
| Napa, CA | $41,850 | 240 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $40,180 | 520 |
| Vallejo, CA | $38,910 | 300 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $38,740 | 450 |
| Salinas, CA | $38,660 | 400 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $38,460 | 1,980 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $38,350 | 11,850 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $38,260 | 3,400 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $38,150 | 310 |
| Modesto, CA | $38,010 | 360 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $37,860 | 170 |
| Yuba City, CA | $37,660 | 60 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $37,480 | 700 |
| Chico, CA | $37,400 | 130 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $37,380 | 500 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $37,140 | 490 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $37,120 | 2,290 |
| Fresno, CA | $36,770 | 830 |
| Redding, CA | $35,740 | 170 |
| Visalia, CA | $35,680 | 270 |
| El Centro, CA | $35,590 | 50 |
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 California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $42,280 | $20.33 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| Bartender | $36,220 | $17.41 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,880 | $21.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,980 | $22.59 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $42,050 | $20.21 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $39,350 | $18.92 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| Dishwasher | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $64,500 | $31.01 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $46,390 | $22.31 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $42,930 | $20.64 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $36,910 | $17.75 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for food servers, nonrestaurant in California is $39,010 a year, or $18.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food servers, nonrestaurant make in California?
The top 10% of food servers, nonrestaurant in California earn at least $57,550 a year. The top 25% earn $46,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for food servers, nonrestaurant in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,120 a year, and a quarter of food servers, nonrestaurant earn $36,650 or less.
How many food servers, nonrestaurant work in California?
About 32,430 food servers, nonrestaurant are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.