What is the pay outlook for Retail & Food Services?
Job openings are high in retail and food services as more Americans spend money at stores and restaurants. While retail and food services wages are lower than the national average, wage growth is higher. Jobs in retail and food services generally require little formal education or training, making these jobs accessible to most job seekers.
Server salary in US
A Server salary range in US can vary based on important factors such as education, skills, certifications, and years of experience. A Server in US can expect to see an entry level salary range of $28,589 to $90,445 per year, based on 2,826 salary contributions. At the highest seniority level, an experienced Server in US can make a salary range of $20,799 to $46,493 with at least 5 years of experience, based on 87 salary contributions. The top 3 companies in US where a Server gets the highest compensation are Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc., Waldorf Astoria and Dimension Development Corporation. Bigger companies typically pay 16.12% less than smaller companies for a Server.
Recent salaries shared by Server
50 salaries
Job Title | Years of Experience
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Location
Date submitted
Job Title | Years of Experience
Location
Date submitted
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Server
|
1-3 years
$31K - $36K/yr
East Hanover, NJ
submitted on Jul 11, 2026
$31K - $36K/yr
Server
|
1-3 years
$41K - $48K/yr
Irvine, CA
submitted on Jul 11, 2026
$41K - $48K/yr
Server
|
7-9 years
$92K - $108K/yr
Greenville, SC
submitted on Jul 11, 2026
$92K - $108K/yr
Server
|
4-6 years
$29K - $34K/yr
Huntsville, AL
submitted on Jul 11, 2026
$29K - $34K/yr
Server
|
1-3 years
$24K - $28K/yr
Draper, UT
submitted on Jul 10, 2026
$24K - $28K/yr
Anonymously share your salary to help the community.
Server
|
1-3 years
$51K - $59K/yr
Miami, FL
submitted on Jul 10, 2026
$51K - $59K/yr
Server
|
1-3 years
$31K - $36K/yr
Mesa, AZ
submitted on Jul 10, 2026
$31K - $36K/yr
Server
|
1-3 years
$33K - $38K/yr
Brea, CA
submitted on Jul 10, 2026
$33K - $38K/yr
Server
|
4-6 years
$50K - $58K/yr
Gaithersburg, MD
submitted on Jul 9, 2026
$50K - $58K/yr
Server
|
1-3 years
$36K - $41K/yr
Fountain Valley, CA
submitted on Jul 9, 2026
$36K - $41K/yr
Viewing 31 - 40 of 50
Top paying industries
The top 5 paying industries for Server in United States are Information Technology with a median total pay of $63,809, Financial Services with a median total pay of $62,043, Human Resources & Staffing with a median total pay of $59,194, Hotels & Travel Accommodation with a median total pay of $56,528, and Personal Consumer Services with a median total pay of $56,123.
Information Technology
Top paying companies in Information Technology for Server are Google, blahblah.com, and Uber.
Frequently asked questions about Server salaries
The average salary for Server is $53,798 per year or $26 per hour, with top earners making up to $84,190 (90th percentile). Typically, pay ranges from $42,964 (25th percentile) to $68,374 (75th percentile) annually. Salary estimates are based on 95978 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Server employees.
The highest salary for Server is $68,374 per year, $5,698 per month or $33 per hour.
The lowest salary for Server is $42,964 per year, $3,580 per month or $21 per hour.
The salary trajectory of Server ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at $50,681 per year (estimate) and goes up to $246,170 per year (estimate) for the highest level of seniority.
Employment as a server offers income and flexibility to candidates without any formal education requirements. While median hourly pay is in line with, or below, minimum wage, successful servers can earn large tips. Servers can increase their pay by moving to luxury establishments, where tips are generally higher. Servers with at least a high school diploma can further increase their salaries by progressing into restaurant manager roles. Additionally, servers often receive non-monetary perks such as free meals from their restaurants.
An estimated 62% of servers feel good about their pay, according to Glassdoor's anonymous employee ratings. Job flexibility, the potential to earn up to $13,818.94 in additional income through tips and profit sharing every year, and advancement potential all contribute to server salary satisfaction.
A server's annual pay is heavily influenced by location, establishment, and tips earned in a given day. Overall, pay ranges between $35,150.28 and $84,190.16, depending on experience level, with average earnings of $53,797.80 following the typical server career path. Building up some experience can allow you to explore a job as a lead server, which comes with a higher potential pay.
To earn a higher server salary, choose a niche and gain professional experience in the field. Niches include fine dining, family dining, fast/casual, hotel dining, and banquet dining. If you want to excel as a professional in five-star restaurants, for instance, start in local fine dining restaurants or hotels and continue your career path from there. You should always demonstrate excellent customer service skills, teamwork, food and beverage knowledge, urgency, and attention to detail, so master these job-specific skills. Both location and establishment impact tips, so consider relocating to a higher-end establishment or a city or state with a higher level of pay.
How can you negotiate for a higher salary in your server job? Factor in your experience level. Every role counts, and this includes all front-of-the-house restaurant positions, such as hosts/hostesses, bussers, runners, and server assistants. The more experience you have, the greater an asset you are and the more money you'll be paid. Also, consider how you align with a specific restaurant's needs; if your experience is in small casual establishments, and you're interested in a bustling five-star restaurant, for instance, that gap gives you less negotiating power. You can also negotiate for more PTO or more flexible work hours.