Waiters and Waitresses Salary in California
BLS OEWS May 2025 • 28 metro areas • California
Waiters and Waitresses in California earn a median salary of $34,792 per year on average across 28 metro and nonmetro areas, +3.1% vs the national median of $33,760. An estimated 242,610 waiters and waitresses are employed across California, with salaries ranging from $33,290 to $40,620 depending on location.
$34,792
Avg median salary in California
$40,620
Highest paying metro
$33,290
Lowest paying metro
242,610
Employed in California
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Waiters and Waitresses
inWaiters and Waitresses salaries by city in California
| Metro area | Median salary | 25th pct | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $40,620 | $38,520 | $44,740 | 12,660 |
| San Francisco, CA | $37,360 | $35,270 | $42,360 | 30,450 |
| Napa, CA | $37,090 | $35,650 | $46,840 | 2,290 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $36,310 | $35,490 | $39,210 | 4,050 |
| Vallejo, CA | $36,180 | $35,300 | $37,220 | 1,810 |
| Salinas, CA | $35,390 | $34,290 | $39,140 | 3,460 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $35,270 | $34,560 | $37,190 | 1,800 |
| Sacramento, CA | $35,070 | $33,500 | $44,290 | 14,840 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $35,060 | $34,400 | $36,290 | 91,020 |
| San Diego, CA | $35,060 | $34,150 | $36,900 | 24,800 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California | $34,630 | $33,990 | $35,930 | 1,540 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California | $34,600 | $33,890 | $35,110 | 1,580 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $34,540 | $33,810 | $36,000 | 2,860 |
| North Coast Region of California | $34,470 | $33,810 | $35,000 | 1,650 |
| Riverside, CA | $34,350 | $33,280 | $47,050 | 21,450 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $34,340 | $33,630 | $35,290 | 3,710 |
| Modesto, CA | $34,310 | $33,550 | $35,080 | 2,280 |
| Oxnard, CA | $34,150 | $33,280 | $35,720 | 4,850 |
| Stockton, CA | $33,760 | $33,280 | $34,800 | 2,520 |
| Hanford, CA | $33,740 | $33,280 | $35,720 | 260 |
| Yuba City, CA | $33,690 | $33,280 | $34,610 | 530 |
| Visalia, CA | $33,650 | $33,280 | $34,290 | 1,430 |
| Redding, CA | $33,600 | $33,280 | $35,130 | 760 |
| Chico, CA | $33,560 | $33,280 | $36,270 | 1,150 |
| Merced, CA | $33,420 | $33,280 | $34,130 | 630 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $33,350 | $33,280 | $33,980 | 3,210 |
| El Centro, CA | $33,310 | $33,280 | $34,200 | 520 |
| Fresno, CA | $33,290 | $33,280 | $35,210 | 4,500 |