Restaurant Server salary in the USA can be different a lot depending on the restaurant, location, experience, working hours and most important, tips. A restaurant server is usually the person who takes customer orders, serves food and drinks, answers menu questions, handles payments and keeps checking that guests are having a good dining experience. In the United States, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics groups restaurant servers with Waiters and Waitresses, and the May 2025 median wage for this occupation was $16.94 per hour, or about $35,230 per year. Restaurant server hourly pay can be lower or higher than this number because tips are an important part of income in many restaurants. Some servers work part time while others work full time, and busy restaurants, hotels, resorts and higher priced dining places can give workers more opportunity to earn tips. Restaurant server salary by state also changes a lot, because wage laws and local restaurant markets are not same everywhere. So when people search how much does a restaurant server make, waiter salary, waitress salary, server salary or restaurant server pay, the answer is not one fixed number for all workers.
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Restaurant Server Salary in the USA
A restaurant server salary in the United States normally comes from two main parts, direct hourly wages and tips from customers. The exact amount a server gets in a paycheck can depend on the state law, employer, restaurant type and how much tips are received during the work shift. According to 2025 wage data, the national median for Waiters and Waitresses was $16.94 per hour and $35,230 per year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.70 per hour, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $31.12 per hour, with tips included in the wage data. This means a restaurant server can have a much different income from another server even when both have the same job title.
Restaurant server jobs are also common for people who want flexible work. Part-time work is common in this occupation, and schedules can include mornings, nights, weekends and holidays. A new server may start with lower direct pay and build income as they become faster, learn the menu, handle more tables and improve customer service skills. Experienced servers in busy restaurants may have stronger earning opportunities because the number and size of customer checks can affect tips.
Restaurant Server Salary by State
Restaurant server salary by state shows a big difference across the United States. State minimum wage rules for tipped workers are one reason, but local restaurant prices, tourism, demand and type of restaurant can also affect total earnings. The table below uses 2025 wage data for the official BLS occupation Waiters and Waitresses. The median figure is useful for seeing what a typical worker in that state earns, while low and high figures show the wider wage range. These figures include tips in the BLS wage data, so they should not be read as only the base hourly cash wage paid by an employer.
| State | Low Hourly | Median Hourly | High Hourly | Median Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $7.96 | $12.91 | $17.35 | $26,840 |
| Alaska | $11.91 | $12.65 | $30.81 | $26,310 |
| Arizona | $14.70 | $21.13 | $37.94 | $43,950 |
| Arkansas | $11.08 | $11.86 | $21.06 | $24,680 |
| California | $16.50 | $17.35 | $33.15 | $36,080 |
| Colorado | $14.81 | $21.57 | $37.58 | $44,860 |
| Connecticut | $16.35 | $18.16 | $34.64 | $37,770 |
| Delaware | $15.00 | $17.73 | $29.81 | $36,880 |
| Florida | $13.09 | $17.38 | $30.57 | $36,150 |
| Georgia | $7.25 | $8.99 | $22.53 | $18,700 |
| Hawaii | $14.00 | $29.99 | $57.63 | $62,390 |
| Idaho | $8.06 | $14.45 | $29.91 | $30,050 |
| Illinois | $15.00 | $15.00 | $23.78 | $31,200 |
| Indiana | $8.48 | $13.69 | $23.24 | $28,480 |
| Iowa | $7.25 | $10.10 | $23.07 | $21,000 |
| Kansas | $8.35 | $17.36 | $30.24 | $36,120 |
| Kentucky | $7.94 | $14.26 | $29.82 | $29,660 |
| Louisiana | $7.25 | $7.25 | $18.30 | $15,080 |
| Maine | $14.66 | $20.85 | $39.87 | $43,370 |
| Maryland | $15.00 | $17.67 | $29.91 | $36,750 |
| Massachusetts | $15.29 | $18.49 | $29.90 | $38,460 |
| Michigan | $12.48 | $18.16 | $30.94 | $37,760 |
| Minnesota | $11.13 | $12.25 | $20.10 | $25,470 |
| Mississippi | $7.37 | $10.27 | $18.95 | $21,370 |
| Missouri | $13.75 | $14.13 | $29.54 | $29,400 |
| Montana | $10.55 | $11.23 | $21.84 | $23,370 |
| Nebraska | $13.50 | $16.24 | $28.57 | $33,770 |
| Nevada | $12.00 | $12.70 | $24.11 | $26,410 |
| New Hampshire | $10.12 | $18.48 | $35.01 | $38,430 |
| New Jersey | $15.49 | $21.62 | $37.75 | $44,960 |
| New Mexico | $12.82 | $17.75 | $33.37 | $36,920 |
| New York | $16.12 | $22.61 | $40.01 | $47,020 |
| North Carolina | $8.24 | $15.46 | $30.13 | $32,150 |
| North Dakota | $8.88 | $14.85 | $29.12 | $30,890 |
| Ohio | $11.45 | $17.65 | $30.64 | $36,700 |
| Oklahoma | $7.32 | $8.61 | $22.90 | $17,910 |
| Oregon | $15.00 | $23.27 | $37.32 | $48,410 |
| Pennsylvania | $8.85 | $16.68 | $29.70 | $34,690 |
| Rhode Island | $15.00 | $17.03 | $30.14 | $35,420 |
| South Carolina | $7.25 | $8.83 | $22.51 | $18,370 |
| South Dakota | $13.00 | $13.94 | $17.93 | $28,990 |
| Tennessee | $7.25 | $13.35 | $22.92 | $27,760 |
| Texas | $8.21 | $11.18 | $22.88 | $23,240 |
| Utah | $8.92 | $14.98 | $29.00 | $31,150 |
| Vermont | $14.28 | $28.43 | $42.95 | $59,140 |
| Virginia | $13.59 | $21.52 | $35.64 | $44,760 |
| Washington | $17.65 | $26.98 | $45.64 | $56,130 |
| West Virginia | $9.73 | $17.01 | $29.11 | $35,380 |
| Wisconsin | $8.09 | $14.26 | $29.70 | $29,670 |
| Wyoming | $8.66 | $11.50 | $27.05 | $23,920 |
How Much Does a Restaurant Server Make Per Hour?
Restaurant server hourly pay is not the same in every restaurant or state. The 2025 national median wage for waiters and waitresses was $16.94 per hour, including tips. This gives a useful national number for people searching how much does a restaurant server make per hour, but actual pay can move up or down depending on the shift and restaurant.
- National median wage: about $16.94 per hour.
- Lower-paid workers can earn less than $8.70 per hour when tips are included in the BLS wage data.
- The highest 10 percent earned more than $31.12 per hour.
- Busy restaurants can give servers more chances to earn tips.
- Part-time servers may have lower yearly income because they work fewer hours.
- State wage laws can change how much direct cash wage a tipped employee receives.
How Much Does a Restaurant Server Make Per Year?
When looking at restaurant server salary per year, the national 2025 median for the official Waiters and Waitresses occupation was $35,230. But annual income can be very different between workers because many restaurant servers do not work the same number of hours every week. A full-time server working regular shifts can have a higher yearly income than someone working only weekends or a few shifts each week. Tips also make the yearly income less predictable than many regular hourly jobs.
- 2025 national median annual wage: about $35,230.
- National low wage level was about $18,100 per year.
- National high wage level was about $64,720 per year.
- Full-time schedules can produce more annual income than part-time schedules.
- Tips can make a large difference in total restaurant server income.
- Location and restaurant type are important when comparing annual pay.
Restaurant Server Salary and Tips
Tips are one of the most important parts of restaurant server income in the United States. A server may receive a direct hourly wage from the restaurant and also receive tips from customers. The rules for tipped employees are different by state. Under federal law, the standard minimum cash wage for tipped workers can be $2.13 per hour when the employer uses the federal tip credit, but the employer must make sure the worker receives at least the applicable minimum wage when direct wages and tips are combined. Some states require employers to pay tipped workers the full state minimum wage before tips, so a server in one state can have a very different paycheck structure from a server doing the same work somewhere else.
- Tips are generally a major part of server income.
- Federal and state tipped-wage rules can be different.
- Some states require the full state minimum wage before tips.
- Restaurant sales and customer spending can affect tip amounts.
- Busy shifts may produce more tips than slow shifts.
- Tip income can change from day to day and season to season.
Restaurant Server Job Duties and Responsibilities
A restaurant server does much more than only bringing food to a table. The server is usually one of the main people a customer talks with during the meal. A server may welcome guests, explain menu items, take food and drink orders, enter orders into the restaurant system, bring meals, refill drinks, check on customers and process the final payment. In some restaurants, servers also help clean and reset tables between guests. The exact restaurant server job duties can change depending on whether the person works in a casual restaurant, fine dining restaurant, hotel, resort, bar or another food service business.
- Welcome customers and help them get seated or settled.
- Give customers menus and explain food or drink options.
- Take accurate food and beverage orders.
- Enter customer orders into a POS or restaurant ordering system.
- Communicate special food requests to the kitchen.
- Serve food and drinks to customers.
- Check tables during the meal and respond to customer requests.
- Bring bills and process cash, card or other payments.
- Clear and reset tables for the next customers.
- Follow restaurant food safety and customer service rules.
Restaurant Server Salary by Restaurant Type
Restaurant server pay can also depend on the type of restaurant where a person works. A casual family restaurant may have lower average customer checks than a high-end restaurant, while a fine dining server may handle fewer tables but larger bills. Since tips are often connected with customer spending, the restaurant's prices and number of customers can have an effect on total restaurant server income. This does not mean every high-priced restaurant pays more, because scheduling, tip sharing, customer traffic and local wage rules are also important.
- Fast casual restaurants: Servers may handle a high number of customers and usually work in a quicker environment.
- Family restaurants: These restaurants can have steady customer traffic and a mix of lunch, dinner and weekend shifts.
- Fine dining restaurants: Servers may need more detailed menu knowledge and formal customer service skills.
- Hotel restaurants: Servers may work with hotel guests, events, room-related dining operations or regular restaurant customers.
- Resort restaurants: Tourist locations can have seasonal changes in customer traffic and work opportunities.
- Bars and restaurants: Servers may handle both food and beverage orders depending on the business.
- Private clubs: Servers may provide food and drink service to club members and their guests.
Restaurant Server Starting Salary
Restaurant server starting pay can be difficult to give as one exact number because new workers may start at different direct hourly rates depending on the state and employer. A person who is new to serving may also begin with limited shifts or work as a host, food runner or server assistant before getting a regular server section. In other restaurants, a new employee can start serving customers after basic training. For someone searching restaurant server starting pay, it is important to check the advertised hourly wage together with the restaurant's tipping system, because the direct wage does not always show the full earning picture.
- New servers may receive restaurant training before working alone.
- Some employers hire people with no previous serving experience.
- Starting pay can be affected by state minimum wage rules.
- Some restaurants use tip pooling or tip sharing.
- New servers may initially receive fewer or less desirable shifts.
- Learning the menu quickly can help a new server handle customer questions.
Restaurant Server Salary With Experience
Experience can make a difference in restaurant server income, although it does not automatically mean a higher hourly wage. An experienced server may be trusted with larger sections, busy shifts, private events or higher service responsibilities. They may also become more comfortable handling multiple tables at the same time, correcting order problems and explaining menu items. These skills can help the server work efficiently and potentially earn more tips, especially in restaurants where customer checks are higher.
Experienced servers can also move into different food service positions. Some may become lead servers, trainers, supervisors or restaurant managers. Others stay in serving because they prefer flexible schedules and the opportunity to earn tips directly from customer service.
- New server: Usually focused on learning restaurant systems and service basics.
- Experienced server: Can handle more tables and complicated customer requests.
- Senior server: May train newer employees or help during busy service periods.
- Lead server: May have additional responsibilities during restaurant shifts.
- Restaurant supervisor: May move from direct table service into team supervision.
- Restaurant manager: Usually has wider responsibility for staff, customers and daily operations.
Full-Time Restaurant Server Salary
A full-time restaurant server can have a different yearly income from a part-time server because the number of hours worked is different. If a server regularly works around 40 hours per week, there are more opportunities to earn both hourly wages and tips. However, restaurant schedules are not always fixed. A full-time employee may have different shifts from week to week, and slow business periods can reduce the number of tables served.
For salary calculations, the national 2025 median wage of $16.94 per hour would equal roughly $35,235 when multiplied by 40 hours per week for 52 weeks. The actual BLS annual median is $35,230. This simple calculation is only a way to understand the hourly figure and should not be treated as a guaranteed yearly paycheck, because many restaurant servers work part time or have changing schedules.
- Full-time work can provide more total working hours.
- More hours can create more opportunities for tip income.
- Restaurant schedules can change with customer demand.
- Seasonal restaurants may have stronger or weaker periods during the year.
- Overtime rules and scheduling can depend on the employer and applicable law.
Part-Time Restaurant Server Salary
Part-time restaurant server jobs are common in the food service industry. A part-time server may work only a few shifts each week, which can make this job attractive for students, people with another job or workers who want a flexible schedule. The yearly income from part-time restaurant serving is normally lower than a full-time position simply because fewer hours are worked. But a part-time worker can still have strong hourly earnings on busy shifts when tips are good.
- Part-time servers can work a small number of shifts each week.
- Evening and weekend shifts can be available in many restaurants.
- Part-time annual income depends heavily on total hours worked.
- Tips can cause weekly income to change.
- Some workers use restaurant serving as a second job.
- Students may choose serving because of flexible shift schedules.
Restaurant Server Salary Per Month
Restaurant server salary per month depends on hours worked, direct wages and tips. Using the national 2025 median annual wage of $35,230 as a simple yearly reference gives about $2,936 per month before taxes when divided by 12. This is only an average monthly equivalent and does not mean every server receives the same amount each month. Actual monthly income can be higher during busy periods and lower when a worker has fewer shifts or receives less tip income.
- National median annual wage reference: $35,230.
- Simple monthly equivalent: about $2,936 before taxes.
- Actual monthly pay can change with work hours.
- Tips can make weekly and monthly income less predictable.
- Part-time servers normally have lower annual and monthly earnings.
- Busy tourist seasons may change monthly earning opportunities.
Restaurant Server Salary in High-Tipping Restaurants
Some restaurant servers choose jobs where customers generally spend more per table because larger checks can create larger tips when tipping is based on the bill. Fine dining, upscale hotels, busy tourist restaurants and premium dining locations can have this type of earning opportunity. But higher menu prices do not guarantee higher income. A server may have fewer tables, longer service times, tip sharing or different restaurant policies. The number of customers served and the restaurant's tipping structure can be just as important.
- Customer check size can affect the dollar amount of a percentage-based tip.
- Busy restaurants can provide more customer transactions during a shift.
- Fine dining may require additional menu and service knowledge.
- Hotel and resort restaurants can have seasonal customer demand.
- Tip pooling can change how individual tips are distributed.
- Higher-priced restaurants can also have fewer tables or longer service times.
Restaurant Server Benefits and Perks
Benefits for restaurant servers are not the same at every employer. Some restaurants provide only the required employment benefits while larger restaurant groups, hotels or full-time employers may offer additional benefits. Part-time workers may receive fewer benefits than full-time employees. Before accepting a restaurant server job, it can be useful to ask about health insurance, paid time off, employee meals, retirement plans, scheduling and how tips are handled.
- Health insurance may be available at some full-time employers.
- Paid time off can depend on employer policy and employment status.
- Some restaurants offer free or discounted employee meals.
- Some larger companies may offer retirement plans.
- Employee discounts may be available at certain restaurants.
- Flexible scheduling can be an important benefit for some workers.
- Training can help new servers learn customer service and restaurant systems.
Restaurant Server Skills That Can Increase Job Opportunities
Restaurant serving does not normally require a college degree, but good customer service and communication skills are important. Servers need to listen carefully, remember orders, manage several tables and stay polite when the restaurant becomes busy. Knowing how to use a POS system, understand the menu and communicate with kitchen staff can also help. For higher-end restaurants, employers may look for previous serving experience and stronger food and beverage knowledge.
- Customer service skills
- Clear communication
- Active listening
- Basic math and payment handling
- Ability to work quickly during busy shifts
- Menu and food knowledge
- Teamwork with kitchen and restaurant staff
- Problem solving with customer requests
- POS and payment system knowledge
- Ability to stand and move for long periods
Restaurant Server Work Environment
Restaurant servers spend most of their working time on their feet and moving between tables, kitchen areas and service stations. The environment can become very busy during lunch, dinner, weekends and holidays. Servers may carry trays, plates and drinks and may need to work quickly while keeping orders accurate. The job can be physically demanding, especially during long shifts. At the same time, people who enjoy talking with customers and working in a team environment may find restaurant serving a good fit.
- Most shifts involve standing and walking for long periods.
- Servers may carry food, drinks and trays.
- Busy periods can require quick multitasking.
- Evening, weekend and holiday work is common.
- Restaurant noise and customer traffic can be high.
- Teamwork is important because servers work closely with kitchen staff and other employees.
Restaurant Server Education and Requirements
One useful thing about becoming a restaurant server in the USA is that a college degree is usually not required. Many restaurants provide basic training after hiring a new employee. The exact requirements can depend on the restaurant and the state. A person may need to be old enough to serve alcohol if alcohol service is part of the job, and some states or local areas can have their own training or certification rules. Good communication, customer service and the ability to work in a busy environment are often more important for getting started than a formal degree.
- A high school diploma is not always required for restaurant server jobs.
- Many restaurants provide on-the-job training.
- Good communication skills are important.
- Basic math skills can help with bills and payments.
- Some jobs may require alcohol-service training depending on local rules.
- Food safety training may be required for certain positions or locations.
- Previous restaurant experience can help but is not required for every server job.
How to Become a Restaurant Server
Becoming a restaurant server can be a fairly direct career path. A person can apply to restaurants, hotels, resorts or other food service businesses and start with an entry-level position. Some people begin as a host, busser or food runner and later move into serving. Others are hired directly as servers and receive training before handling their own tables. Learning the restaurant menu, payment system and service process is an important part of starting the job.
- Look for restaurant server jobs in your local area.
- Prepare a simple resume showing customer service or hospitality experience.
- Apply to restaurants, hotels, resorts and other food service businesses.
- Learn the menu and restaurant service rules during training.
- Learn how the POS and payment system works.
- Understand the restaurant's tipping and tip-sharing policy.
- Build experience by working regular shifts and improving customer service skills.
Restaurant Server Salary Compared With Waiter Salary
Restaurant server salary and waiter salary are usually referring to the same type of work in everyday job searches. In the federal occupational classification, the BLS uses the title Waiters and Waitresses for workers who take food and beverage orders and serve customers. Because of this, people searching waiter salary, waitress salary, server salary and restaurant server salary can find wage information under the same official occupation. The word server is now commonly used by many restaurants because it can be more general than waiter or waitress.
- Restaurant server is a common job title used by employers.
- Waiter and waitress are also common terms for the same type of work.
- BLS wage data uses the occupation title Waiters and Waitresses.
- Salary can change by state, restaurant and work schedule.
- Tips are an important part of earnings for many servers.
Restaurant Server Salary Compared With Food Service Jobs
Restaurant serving is one part of the wider food preparation and serving industry. Other jobs include cooks, bartenders, hosts, food preparation workers, dishwashers and restaurant managers. Pay can be different between these jobs because responsibilities, experience, schedules and tipping arrangements are different. A server may have more variable income because tips can make up an important part of total earnings, while some other restaurant employees mainly receive an hourly wage.
- Servers mainly focus on customer orders and table service.
- Bartenders prepare and serve beverages and may also receive tips.
- Cooks mainly prepare food in the kitchen.
- Hosts usually welcome customers and manage seating.
- Dishwashers focus on cleaning dishes and kitchen equipment.
- Restaurant managers have broader responsibilities for staff and daily operations.
Restaurant Server Income From Tips and Base Pay
When comparing restaurant server income, it is important to separate the direct wage from tips. The direct hourly wage is what the employer pays directly, while tips are payments from customers that can make up a large part of a server's total earnings. Federal law allows a tip credit in certain situations, but state rules can be different. Because of these differences, two servers doing almost the same work can have very different base wages and total income depending on where they work.
The BLS wage figures are especially useful for comparing overall occupational earnings because the published wage data for Waiters and Waitresses includes tips. A job seeker should still ask an employer how the restaurant handles direct wages, tips, tip pooling, tip sharing and deductions before accepting an offer.
- Base hourly pay is paid directly by the employer.
- Tips come from customers and can change from shift to shift.
- Tip pooling can combine tips from multiple employees.
- Tip sharing can distribute part of tips among eligible restaurant workers.
- State laws can change the minimum direct wage requirements.
- Total restaurant server income can be higher than the direct hourly wage alone.
Restaurant Server Salary Before Taxes
The salary numbers discussed in this article are generally gross earnings before income taxes and other payroll deductions. A restaurant server's take-home pay will be lower after federal taxes, state taxes where applicable, Social Security, Medicare and other deductions. The exact amount of take-home pay depends on the worker's personal tax situation, state, filing status, benefits and other factors. Tips are also taxable income and should be properly reported.
- Salary figures are normally discussed before taxes.
- Federal income tax can reduce take-home pay.
- Social Security and Medicare taxes can apply.
- State and local taxes depend on where the worker lives and works.
- Health insurance or retirement contributions can also reduce a paycheck.
- Reported tip income is part of taxable income.
Restaurant Server Salary in Expensive Cities
Working in a large or expensive city does not automatically mean a server will have a higher take-home income. Large cities can have higher restaurant prices and higher wages, but housing, transportation and other living costs can also be much higher. A restaurant server should therefore look at the actual hourly wage, expected tips, available working hours and local living expenses instead of looking only at the advertised salary number.
- Large cities can have many restaurants and food service jobs.
- Customer spending can be higher in some city restaurants.
- Higher restaurant prices can affect percentage-based tips.
- Housing costs can also be much higher in major cities.
- Local minimum wage laws can affect direct pay.
- Actual take-home value depends on both income and living costs.
Restaurant Server Salary in Hotels and Resorts
Hotel and resort servers can work in restaurants, bars, banquet areas, pool service or other food and beverage operations. The work can be different from a normal neighborhood restaurant because hotels may have business travelers, tourists, conferences, weddings and other events. Resort locations can also have seasonal changes in customer numbers. Some hotel jobs may offer employee benefits or other perks, but these depend on the employer and employment status.
- Hotel restaurants can serve both guests and local customers.
- Resorts may have seasonal changes in demand.
- Banquet servers can work weddings, meetings and private events.
- Some hotel servers may work in several food service areas.
- Large hotel companies may offer additional employee benefits.
- Schedules can include nights, weekends and holidays.
Restaurant Server Career Growth
Restaurant serving can be an entry point into the larger hospitality industry. Some workers remain servers for many years, while others use the experience to move into supervisory or management positions. A server who learns customer service, food and beverage operations, scheduling and team coordination can have opportunities to move into other restaurant or hospitality jobs. Career growth depends on the employer, experience, performance and available positions.
- Restaurant Server
- Senior or Lead Server
- Restaurant Supervisor
- Food and Beverage Supervisor
- Assistant Restaurant Manager
- Restaurant Manager
- Food and Beverage Manager
- Hotel Food and Beverage Management
Restaurant Server Job Outlook in the USA
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for Waiters and Waitresses to grow about 2 percent from 2025 to 2035. The growth rate is relatively modest, but the occupation is expected to have a large number of openings because workers leave the occupation or move to other jobs. BLS projects about 423,100 openings for waiters and waitresses each year, on average, over the 2025 to 2035 period. This means there can continue to be many job opportunities even when overall employment growth is not very fast.
- Projected employment growth from 2025 to 2035: about 2%.
- Average projected openings each year: about 423,100.
- Openings include jobs created by workers leaving the occupation.
- Restaurants continue to need workers for customer service and table service.
- Job availability can differ by city, state and restaurant type.
What Affects Restaurant Server Salary?
There is no single restaurant server salary that applies to every worker in America. Income can change because of several different factors. The restaurant location is important because state wage laws and customer spending are different across the country. Restaurant type also matters because a fine dining restaurant can have a different average customer bill than a casual restaurant. The number of shifts, number of tables, customer traffic and tipping system can all change actual income.
- Location: State and local wage rules can affect direct pay.
- Restaurant type: Casual, fine dining, hotel and resort restaurants can have different earning patterns.
- Experience: Experienced servers may qualify for different positions or shifts.
- Hours worked: More working hours can increase total yearly income.
- Customer traffic: Busy restaurants can provide more table-service opportunities.
- Average customer bill: Larger checks can affect percentage-based tips.
- Tip policy: Tip pooling and tip sharing can change individual earnings.
- Schedule: Nights, weekends and busy periods may have different customer demand.
Restaurant Server Salary Summary
Restaurant server salary in the USA is influenced by hourly wages, tips, state laws, restaurant type, location, work schedule and experience. The 2025 national median wage for the BLS Waiters and Waitresses occupation was $16.94 per hour, or $35,230 per year, with tips included in the wage data. Some workers earn considerably less while others earn more than the national median. State differences are also large, with 2025 median wages ranging from lower levels in some states to much higher levels in places such as Washington, Hawaii, Vermont and Oregon. For someone considering this career, the most useful number is not only the advertised base pay but the expected total income from wages and tips, the number of hours available and the cost of living in the area.
Restaurant serving can be an accessible job because many positions do not require a college degree and employers often provide training. It can also offer flexible schedules and a way to build customer service and hospitality experience. At the same time, the job can involve long periods standing, busy shifts, changing schedules and income that can move with customer traffic and tips. People searching restaurant server salary, server salary, waiter salary, waitress salary, restaurant server hourly pay or how much does a restaurant server make should therefore look at the complete compensation picture instead of one hourly number.
Restaurant Server Salary: Key Facts
- Official BLS occupation: Waiters and Waitresses.
- 2025 national median wage: $16.94 per hour.
- 2025 national median annual wage: $35,230.
- BLS wage figures include tips.
- About 2% employment growth is projected from 2025 to 2035.
- About 423,100 openings per year are projected on average during 2025–2035.
- Restaurant servers can work full-time or part-time.
- Tips can be a major part of total earnings.
- State wage laws can make direct pay different across the country.
- Restaurant type, location, experience and customer traffic can affect total income.