Food Servers, Nonrestaurant Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $36,600 +6.2% vs national
Median hourly $17.59
10th percentile $34,740
90th percentile $48,100
Employed locally 2,690
National median $34,460

Compare Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary & buying power

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Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
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San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,740
    25th
    $35,410
    50th (median)
    $36,600
    75th
    $40,010
    90th
    $48,100

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary vs area income 36% Median Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary is 64% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $57,540
    Hanford-Corcoran, CA $45,030
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $44,710
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,200
    Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $42,600
    Ithaca, NY $40,230

    Nearby metros — Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Hanford-Corcoran, CA $45,030
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $44,710
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,200
    Ithaca, NY $40,230
    Napa, CA $39,150
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $38,140

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,860
    Waiters and Waitresses $35,060
    Cooks, Restaurant $45,040
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $44,990
    Cooks, Fast Food $35,730
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $35,270

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Servers, Nonrestaurant make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in San Diego, CA is $17.59, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.07 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salaries?

    The median Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in San Diego, CA is 6.2% above the national median of $34,460. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in San Diego?

    Entry-level Food Servers, Nonrestaurant (10th percentile) earn around $34,740 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,410.