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Hourly Wage for Server Salary in the United States

How much does a Server make hourly?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Server in the United States is $12, which translates to an annual salary of about $24,400.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $13 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $11 to $13 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $10 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Server Salaries

A Server's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Server Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Server's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Server (0-1 years): $24,400
  • Assistant Restaurant Manager (1-3 years): $42,409
  • Restaurant Manager (3-5 years): $57,237
  • Regional Restaurant Manager (5+ years): $86,237
  • Restaurant Director (5+ years): $120,101
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Server0-1 years$24,400
Assistant Restaurant Manager1-3 years$42,409
Restaurant Manager3-5 years$57,237
Regional Restaurant Manager5+ years$86,237
Restaurant Director5+ years$120,101
View as Graph

How Do Servers Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Servers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $27,016.
  • California: $26,913.
  • Massachusetts: $26,555.

Top Paying Cities for Server

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $30,776
  • San Francisco: $30,439
  • Oakland: $29,797

What Skills Can Increase a Server's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 11.92% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Point of Sale (Mentioned in 2.74% Job Postings): Accepting payments from customers for goods and services either in person or online.
  • Product Quality (Mentioned in 1.88% Job Postings): Product quality refers to how well a product satisfies customer needs, serves its purpose and meets industry standards. When evaluating product quality, businesses consider several key factors, including whether a product solves a problem, works efficiently or suits customers' purposes.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 11.92%
Point of Sale 2.74%
Product Quality 1.88%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Server's salary.

  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 26%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Products and Services $30,744
26%
Problem Solving $25,132
3%
Collaboration $25,132
3%
Get Latest Data

Server Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Server salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $25,900. While startup companies pay approximate $21,987.

Server Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $21,987
Growth Stage 51~500 $23,236
Established 501~5000 $25,035
Enterprise 5000+ $25,900

Server Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Server roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Server positions in Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Server as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Server

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$29,280$14.020%

Server Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Server's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$22,417
Average $24,400/year
$26,132
$1,868
Average $2,033/month
$2,178
$431
Average $469/week
$503
$11
Average $12/hour
$13
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $26,132 $2,178 $503 $13
Average $24,400 $2,033 $469 $12
25th Percentile $22,417 $1,868 $431 $11

Most common benefits for Server

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Server

Here are companies hiring for Server and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Server

1. What are the responsibilities of Server?

Serves food and beverages to the customers promptly and follows the standards set by the facility. Explains menu item and terms and provides suggestions to customers when asked. May require a high school diploma or its equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. May require 0-1 year of general work experience. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area.

2. What are the skills of Server

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.)

Customer Service: Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.

2.)

Point of Sale: Accepting payments from customers for goods and services either in person or online.

3.)

Product Quality: Product quality refers to how well a product satisfies customer needs, serves its purpose and meets industry standards. When evaluating product quality, businesses consider several key factors, including whether a product solves a problem, works efficiently or suits customers' purposes.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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