Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in Rhode Island
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Rhode Island earn a median of $34,860 a year ($16.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,990 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $35,360. Rhode Island ranks 23rd of 51 states for food servers, nonrestaurant pay. There are 2.0 food servers, nonrestaurant per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food servers, nonrestaurant in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,320 | $15.06 |
| 25th percentile | $33,780 | $16.24 |
| Median | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| 75th percentile | $37,860 | $18.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,990 | $20.67 |
| Average (mean) | $36,150 | $17.38 |
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 | $2,905 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,452.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,340.77 |
| Weekly | $670.38 |
| Hourly | $16.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,860 salary, see how much house you can afford in Rhode Island at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in cities in Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $34,870 | 1,510 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,490 | $15.14 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| Bartender | $36,410 | $17.51 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,510 | $17.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $48,400 | $23.27 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,470 | $17.06 |
| Dishwasher | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $79,930 | $38.43 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $46,250 | $22.24 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,400 | $15.10 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for food servers, nonrestaurant in Rhode Island is $34,860 a year, or $16.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food servers, nonrestaurant make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of food servers, nonrestaurant in Rhode Island earn at least $42,990 a year. The top 25% earn $37,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for food servers, nonrestaurant in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,320 a year, and a quarter of food servers, nonrestaurant earn $33,780 or less.
How many food servers, nonrestaurant work in Rhode Island?
About 1,020 food servers, nonrestaurant are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.