Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $35,270 +4.5% vs national
Median hourly $16.96
10th percentile $33,740
90th percentile $75,620
Employed locally 1,800
National median $33,760

Compare Waiters and Waitresses salary & buying power

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Waiters and Waitresses
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Santa Cruz, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,740
    25th
    $34,560
    50th (median)
    $35,270
    75th
    $37,190
    90th
    $75,620

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 32% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 68% 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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $37,300
    Cooks, Restaurant $42,460
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $46,980
    Cooks, Fast Food $37,670
    Food Preparation Workers $37,010
    Bartenders $35,440

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Santa Cruz, CA is $16.96, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.14 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 4.5% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $33,740 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,560.