Restaurant Server/Bartender Salary in the United States

How much does a Restaurant Server/Bartender make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Restaurant Server/Bartender in the United States is $28,288 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $14.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $32,107
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $24,869 to $30,287
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $21,755
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View as table View as graph 25% $24,869 10% $21,755 90% $32,107 75% $30,287 $28,288 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Restaurant Server/Bartender Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $30,287 $2,524 $582 $15
Average $28,288 $2,357 $544 $14
25th Percentile $24,869 $2,072 $478 $12
Check out Restaurant Server/Bartender Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence Restaurant Server/Bartender Salaries

A Restaurant Server/Bartender'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Restaurant Server/Bartender 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 Restaurant Server/Bartenders. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $31,321.
  • California: $31,202.
  • Massachusetts: $30,786.

Top Paying Cities for Restaurant Server/Bartenders

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: $35,680
  • San Francisco: $35,289
  • Oakland: $34,546

What Skills Can Increase a Restaurant Server/Bartender's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 8.18% 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.
  • Credit Card (Mentioned in 3.07% Job Postings): A credit card is a type of credit facility, provided by banks that allow customers to borrow funds within a pre-approved credit limit.
  • Hospitality Services (Mentioned in 1.64% Job Postings): Hospitality Services means any business operating within the service industry that includes lodging, hotel, event planning, and transportation.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 8.18%
Credit Card 3.07%
Hospitality Services 1.64%
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 Restaurant Server/Bartender's salary.
  • Staff Management: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Staff Management
$30,834
9%
Leadership
$30,268
7%
Team Management
$29,420
4%
Work Ethic
$29,420
4%
Organizing
$29,420
4%
Commitment
$29,137
3%
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How Education impacts a Restaurant Server/Bartender's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Restaurant Server/Bartenders enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Restaurant Server/Bartender with a No Diploma is between $21,752 and $23,358).

Restaurant Server/Bartender Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Restaurant Server/Bartender
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.9%
High School 41.1%
Associates 18.3%
Bachelors 31.4%
Masters 3.4%
Doctorate 2.9%
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Restaurant Server/Bartender Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Restaurant Server/Bartender'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 May 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Restaurant Server/Bartender

Salaries for a Restaurant Server/Bartender can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $36,427 in 2023 to around $35,547 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Restaurant Server/Bartender salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Restaurant Server/Bartender Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$36,427
2024
$35,965
2025
$35,547
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $36,427
2024 $35,965
2025 $35,547
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Restaurant Server/Bartender

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Restaurant Server/Bartender

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

Find Your Next Restaurant Server/Bartender Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Restaurant Server/Bartender job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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