Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in Massachusetts
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Massachusetts earn a median of $36,750 a year ($17.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,830 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,630 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $35,360. Massachusetts ranks 11th of 51 states for food servers, nonrestaurant pay. There are 1.6 food servers, nonrestaurant per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food servers, nonrestaurant in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,990 | $16.34 |
| 25th percentile | $35,110 | $16.88 |
| Median | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| 75th percentile | $38,260 | $18.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| Average (mean) | $38,520 | $18.52 |
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 | $3,062.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,531.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,413.46 |
| Weekly | $706.73 |
| Hourly | $17.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $37,330 | 4,370 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $37,070 | 140 |
| Worcester, MA | $35,790 | 750 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $35,020 | 90 |
| Springfield, MA | $34,970 | 340 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $34,870 | 1,510 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $34,830 | 150 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| Bartender | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,600 | $22.40 |
| Dishwasher | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $47,790 | $22.98 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,540 | $33.43 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Cooks, All Other | $69,570 | $33.45 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $37,870 | $18.21 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for food servers, nonrestaurant in Massachusetts is $36,750 a year, or $17.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food servers, nonrestaurant make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of food servers, nonrestaurant in Massachusetts earn at least $47,630 a year. The top 25% earn $38,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for food servers, nonrestaurant in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,990 a year, and a quarter of food servers, nonrestaurant earn $35,110 or less.
How many food servers, nonrestaurant work in Massachusetts?
About 5,830 food servers, nonrestaurant are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.