Food Servers, Nonrestaurant Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $44,200 +28.3% vs national
Median hourly $21.25
10th percentile $39,360
90th percentile $63,110
Employed locally 1,890
National median $34,460

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Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
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San Jose, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,360
    25th
    $41,550
    50th (median)
    $44,200
    75th
    $52,010
    90th
    $63,110

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary vs area income 28% Median Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary is 72% 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
    Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $42,600
    Ithaca, NY $40,230
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $39,730

    Nearby metros — Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Hanford-Corcoran, CA $45,030
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $44,710
    Ithaca, NY $40,230
    Napa, CA $39,150
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $38,140
    Salinas, CA $38,000

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$42,660
    Waiters and Waitresses$40,620
    Cooks, Restaurant$46,960
    Food Preparation Workers$44,120
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$55,210
    Cooks, Fast Food$41,800

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in San Jose, CA is $21.25, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.26 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in San Jose, CA is 28.3% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Food Servers, Nonrestaurant (10th percentile) earn around $39,360 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $41,550.