Food Servers, Nonrestaurant vs. Waiters and Waitresses: Who Earns More?
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant out-earn Waiters and Waitresses by $130 a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Food Servers, Nonrestaurant land at $35,360 and Waiters and Waitresses at $35,230. The education gap is real: food servers, nonrestaurant programs typically require no formal educational credential, while waiters and waitress programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant is New York ($39,370); for Waiters and Waitresses it's Hawaii ($62,390).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Food Servers, Nonrestaurant median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Food Servers, Nonrestaurant or Waiters and Waitresses?
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earn more nationally. The median is $35,360 for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant versus $35,230 for Waiters and Waitresses, a difference of $130. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Food Servers, Nonrestaurant or Waiters and Waitresses?
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant has the better 10-year outlook at 3% projected growth, compared to -0.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Food Servers, Nonrestaurant or Waiters and Waitresses?
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant typically requires no formal educational credential. Waiters and Waitresses requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Food Servers, Nonrestaurant get paid the most?
New York is the top-paying state for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant at $39,370/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Food Servers, Nonrestaurant vs. Waiters and Waitresses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earn $39,370 vs. $47,020 for Waiters and Waitresses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.