Food Servers, Nonrestaurant Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Food Servers, Nonrestaurants in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA make a median of $38,730 a year, or about $18.62 an hour. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $55K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $34,851 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,501/month — about 89.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $39K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
About food servers, nonrestaurants
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level food servers, nonrestaurants (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $39K.Top earners bring in $55K or more - a $18K spread from bottom to top.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $38K | +10% | 14,690 |
| Washington | $38K | +10% | 7,300 |
| California | $38K | +9% | 29,570 |
| District of Columbia | $38K | +9% | 1,230 |
| Hawaii | $37K | +9% | 750 |
| Massachusetts | $37K | +6% | 6,120 |
| New Hampshire | $36K | +5% | 2,230 |
| Vermont | $36K | +5% | 710 |
| Oregon | $36K | +5% | 3,860 |
| Connecticut | $36K | +4% | 4,510 |
| North Dakota | $36K | +4% | 1,710 |
| New Jersey | $35K | +2% | 10,760 |
| Minnesota | $35K | +2% | 10,150 |
| Maine | $35K | +2% | 660 |
| Arizona | $35K | +2% | 3,840 |
Track food servers, nonrestaurant salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do food servers, nonrestaurants make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $38,730 a year - that works out to about $18.62 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,910, and experienced food servers, nonrestaurants can clear $54,770. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $39K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,763/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 90.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a food servers, nonrestaurant salary go in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median food servers, nonrestaurant salary is worth about $34,851 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do food servers, nonrestaurants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.