What are the main factors that influence a Food Server's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Food Server?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Food Server roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

How does experience change A Food Server's salary?

A Food Server's salary grows with experience: a Food Server (0-1 years)earns $25,046, an Assistant Restaurant Manager (1-3 years)earns $43,532, a Restaurant Manager (3-5 years)earns $58,752, a Regional Restaurant Manager (5+ years)earns $88,520, a Restaurant Director (5+ years)earns $123,280,

What are the highest paying states for a Food Server?

Food Server salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Food Server roles are District of Columbia $27,528, California $27,424, Massachusetts $27,058. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Food Server roles make?

Salaries for Food Server level roles vary by specialization: Residential Care Food Server: $38,600; Senior Living Food Server: $38,540; Assisted Living Food Server: $38,538; Banquet Server: $32,225; Food Server - Institution: $31,636.

Food Server Salary in Delaware

How much does a Food Server make in Delaware?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Food Server in Delaware is $25,179 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $12.

However, a Food Server's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $28,626
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $23,193 to $26,983
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $21,385

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Food Server Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$26,983	$2,249	$519	$13
Average	$25,179	$2,098	$484	$12
25th Percentile	$23,193	$1,933	$446	$11

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Food Server Salaries

A Food 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 Food Server Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Food 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:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $25,046
Early Career (1-2 years): $43,532
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $58,752
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $88,520
Expert (over 8 years): $123,280

Levels	Salary
Food Serv... Level Food Server	$25,046
Assistant... Level Food Server	$43,532
Restauran... Level Food Server	$58,752
Regional ... Level Food Server	$88,520
Restauran... Level Food Server	$123,280

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Food Server 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 Food Servers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $27,528.
California: $27,424.
Massachusetts: $27,058.

District of Columbia $27,528 California $27,424 Massachusetts $27,058 Washington $26,959 New Jersey $26,949 Alaska $26,914 Connecticut $26,571 New York $26,432

Hawaii $25,987 Rhode Island $25,778 Maryland $25,636 Minnesota $25,442 Colorado $25,368 Illinois $25,343 Oregon $25,248 Delaware $25,179

New Hampshire $25,135 Virginia $25,037 Pennsylvania $24,751 Nevada $24,607 North Dakota $24,560 Michigan $24,485 Wisconsin $24,458 Vermont $24,403

Texas $24,251 Maine $24,241 Arizona $24,226 Ohio $24,209 Georgia $23,980 Indiana $23,866 Wyoming $23,844 Utah $23,809

Iowa $23,794 Kansas $23,674 Louisiana $23,640 North Carolina $23,627 Missouri $23,622 Florida $23,525 Montana $23,473 Nebraska $23,423

Kentucky $23,396 South Carolina $23,297 Tennessee $23,234 Idaho $23,210 New Mexico $23,028 Oklahoma $22,988 Alabama $22,842 South Dakota $22,595

Arkansas $22,461 West Virginia $22,389 Mississippi $22,173

Top Paying Cities for Food Servers

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:

Lincoln: $25,065
Little Creek: $25,249
Magnolia: $25,212

Lincoln, DE $25,065 Little Creek, DE $25,249 Magnolia, DE $25,212 Milford, DE $25,129 Marydel, DE $25,170 Millsboro, DE $24,960 Millville, DE $24,999 Milton, DE $25,042

Nassau, DE $25,060 Ocean View, DE $24,994 Rehoboth Beach, DE $25,042 Seaford, DE $25,057 Selbyville, DE $24,953 Smyrna, DE $25,266 Viola, DE $25,150 Woodside, DE $25,217

Bear, DE $25,159 Newark, DE $25,150 Claymont, DE $25,201 Delaware City, DE $25,175 Hockessin, DE $25,148 Kirkwood, DE $25,170 Middletown, DE $25,180 Montchanin, DE $25,153

New Castle, DE $25,157 Odessa, DE $25,192 Port Penn, DE $25,209 Rockland, DE $25,156 Saint Georges, DE $25,172 Townsend, DE $25,211 Winterthur, DE $25,159 Lewes, DE $25,052

Wilmington, DE $25,149 Dover, DE $25,249 Dover Afb, DE $25,116 Bethany Beach, DE $24,968 Bethel, DE $24,994 Bridgeville, DE $25,053 Camden Wyoming, DE $25,178 Cheswold, DE $25,241

Clayton, DE $25,241 Dagsboro, DE $24,951 Delmar, DE $24,911 Ellendale, DE $24,986 Felton, DE $25,127 Fenwick Island, DE $24,956 Frankford, DE $24,913 Frederica, DE $25,152

Georgetown, DE $24,941 Greenwood, DE $25,057 Harbeson, DE $24,968 Harrington, DE $25,095 Hartly, DE $25,173 Houston, DE $25,059 Kenton, DE $25,243 Laurel, DE $24,926

Yorklyn, DE $25,155

Food Server Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Food 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, Food Server positions in Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Food Server as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Food Server

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit	$30,214	$15.0	20%

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

Understanding how a Food 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

$23,193

Average $25,179/year

$26,983

$1,933

Average $2,098/month

$2,249

$446

Average $484/week

$519

$11

Average $12/hour

$13

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$26,983	$2,249	$519	$13
Average	$25,179	$2,098	$484	$12
25th Percentile	$23,193	$1,933	$446	$11

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