Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $34,590 a year or less, while the top 10% make $47,670 or more. The middle half of food servers, nonrestaurant in Washington earn between $36,080 and $40,160.
- $35K10th
- $36K25th
- $38KMedian
- $40K75th
- $48K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $39,510 | $3,292 | $19.00 |
| Median | $37,540 | $3,128 | $18.05 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $36,080 | $3,007 | $17.35 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $40,160 | $3,347 | $19.31 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Food servers, nonrestaurant in Washington earn 5% less than the Washington, D.C. average ($41,460) and 9% more than the U.S. average ($36,140). At the median the gap is +6% against the U.S. median of $35,360.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $39,510 | $37,540 | $34,590 | $47,670 | 5,760 |
| Washington, D.C. | $41,460 | $37,920 | $36,400 | $54,650 | 1,260 |
| 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 Washington
On the average salary of $39,510, a single filer in Washington takes home about $32,722 a year, or $2,727 a month and $1,259 every two weeks. Taxes take 17% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $32,898 | $2,742 |
| Working in DC | $32,722 | $2,727 |
| Working in VA | $32,469 | $2,706 |
| Working in MD | $32,261 | $2,688 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for food servers, nonrestaurant? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $39,510 buys what about $36,286 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 14.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in nearby metro areas
- Hagerstown, MD$33,920
- Baltimore, MD$36,410
- Winchester, VA$33,730
- Lexington Park, MD$37,330
- Gettysburg, PA$30,020
- Chambersburg, PA$34,900
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 Washington: questions
How much do food servers, nonrestaurant make an hour in Washington?
$19.00 an hour on average, and $18.05 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level food servers, nonrestaurant salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $34,590 a year and the 25th percentile is $36,080, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the food servers, nonrestaurant take-home pay in Washington?
About $32,722 a year ($2,727 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $39,510.
Do food servers, nonrestaurant earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 9% 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.9%.
- 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 (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.97, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.