Waiters and Waitresses Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
In San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, waiters and waitresses earn $40,620 at the median — $19.53 an hour. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $96K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $36,787 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 124.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $41K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About waiters and waitresses
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level waiters and waitresses (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $41K.Top earners bring in $96K or more - a $58K spread from bottom to top.
Waiters and Waitresses pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | $61K | +80% | 3,730 |
| Hawaii | $49K | +44% | 13,830 |
| Washington | $47K | +41% | 43,720 |
| New York | $46K | +38% | 140,890 |
| District of Columbia | $46K | +36% | 10,540 |
| Maine | $45K | +32% | 8,540 |
| Rhode Island | $43K | +26% | 11,010 |
| New Hampshire | $39K | +16% | 10,840 |
| New Jersey | $39K | +15% | 56,560 |
| Virginia | $37K | +10% | 61,260 |
| Arizona | $37K | +9% | 55,010 |
| Connecticut | $36K | +8% | 21,720 |
| Massachusetts | $36K | +8% | 50,160 |
| Ohio | $36K | +7% | 76,260 |
| Michigan | $36K | +6% | 64,920 |
Track waiters and waitresses salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do waiters and waitresses make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $40,620 a year - that works out to about $19.53 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,740, and experienced waiters and waitresses can clear $95,840. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $41K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,823/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 123.4% 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 waiters and waitresses salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (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 waiters and waitresses salary is worth about $36,787 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do waiters and waitresses 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.