Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Modesto, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Modesto, CA

Median annual salary $34,310 +1.6% vs national
Median hourly $16.50
10th percentile $33,280
90th percentile $63,160
Employed locally 2,280
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
in
Modesto, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,280
    25th
    $33,550
    50th (median)
    $34,310
    75th
    $35,080
    90th
    $63,160

    Modesto economic context

    Unemployment rate 6.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,661 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 43% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 57% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Waiters and Waitresses

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $71,920
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $66,350
    Vermont $60,910
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $60,840
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $53,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $48,760

    Nearby metros — Waiters and Waitresses salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Utica-Rome, NY $47,380
    Ithaca, NY $46,610
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $40,620
    Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area $38,960
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $37,360
    Napa, CA $37,090

    Related occupations in Modesto, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$37,430
    Cooks, Fast Food$36,650
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$45,360
    Cooks, Restaurant$38,770
    Food Preparation Workers$36,320
    Dishwashers$35,400

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Modesto?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Modesto, CA is $16.50, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.51 or more per hour.

    Is Modesto above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Modesto, CA is 1.6% above the national median of $33,760. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Waiters and Waitresses in Modesto?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $33,280 per year in Modesto, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $33,550.