Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pay range in New York
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $33,250 a year or less, while the top 10% make $52,080 or more. The middle half of food servers, nonrestaurant in New York earn between $36,480 and $47,930.
- $33K10th
- $36K25th
- $39KMedian
- $48K75th
- $52K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $42,360 | $3,530 | $20.37 |
| Median | $39,120 | $3,260 | $18.81 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $36,480 | $3,040 | $17.54 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $47,930 | $3,994 | $23.04 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pay in New York vs. New York State and the U.S.
Food servers, nonrestaurant in New York earn about the same as the New York State average ($42,560) and 17% more than the U.S. average ($36,140). At the median the gap is +11% against the U.S. median of $35,360.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $42,360 | $39,120 | $33,250 | $52,080 | 19,450 |
| New York State | $42,560 | $39,370 | $33,110 | $52,630 | 17,520 |
| United States | $36,140 | $35,360 | $28,030 | $46,120 | 293,900 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary after taxes in New York
On the average salary of $42,360, a single filer in New York takes home about $34,491 a year, or $2,874 a month and $1,327 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in NJ | $35,424 | $2,952 |
| Working in NY | $34,491 | $2,874 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.
Is New York a good place for food servers, nonrestaurant? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the New York area are 13% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 112.6), so the average $42,360 buys what about $37,632 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.6 times the median wage of all jobs in New York ($61,430). A typical home costs $727,625, or 17.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in other New York cities
New York ranks 1st of 11 New York metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- New York$42,360
- Ithaca$39,770
- Kiryas Joel$39,240
- Binghamton$37,370
- Kingston$37,110
- Syracuse$36,920
- Glens Falls$36,880
- Rochester$36,830
- Albany$36,730
- Utica$36,050
Highest-paying cities for food servers, nonrestaurant
Kahului, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($59,020).
- Kahului, HI$59,020
- San Jose, CA$50,590
- San Francisco, CA$48,600
- Napa, CA$48,550
- Vallejo, CA$46,710
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in New York: questions
How much do food servers, nonrestaurant make an hour in New York?
$20.37 an hour on average, and $18.81 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level food servers, nonrestaurant salary in New York?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $33,250 a year and the 25th percentile is $36,480, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the food servers, nonrestaurant take-home pay in New York?
About $34,491 a year ($2,874 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $42,360. New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.
Do food servers, nonrestaurant earn more in New York than elsewhere?
The average here is 17% more than the U.S. average for this job ($36,140).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-3041; area New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ (35620). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.2%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.08, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.