Server salary

The median pay for a server nationally is $24.00 an hour — about $49,920 a year full time. That is based on 38 job postings on LocalWork from the last 12 months that stated pay, so it reflects what employers are advertising rather than verified earnings. Half of the roles pay more than this and half pay less, so treat it as the middle of the market rather than a target.

Most servers nationally earn between $24.00 an hour and $24.00 an hour — that is the 10th to the 90th percentile. The spread usually reflects experience, shift, certifications and employer size more than anything else.

Pay at the bottom of the range — roughly what someone starting out can expect — is around $24.00 an hour. A quarter of servers earn below $24.00 an hour, so the first year or two typically sits in that band. This is a role employers routinely fill with people who have no prior experience.

The top 10% of servers nationally earn about $24.00 an hour or more. Getting there usually means experience plus something specific — certifications, supervisory duties, specialised skills or premium shifts.

Servers take orders and look after guests in restaurants. Base pay is often low because tips form most of the earnings — which makes advertised rates misleading on their own. Day to day, that means greet guests and take orders, advise on menu and specials, deliver food and drinks and handle payment and resolve issues.

The usual route is: (1) start as a host or busser, (2) move to serving in a casual venue, (3) progress to higher-check restaurants where tips are larger, (4) move into bartending or management. Employers typically look for no formal education required, food handler card in many areas and alcohol service certification where serving alcohol.

Usually not. Most employers hire servers without a specific licence, though alcohol service certification where serving alcohol will widen your options and often your pay.

There are currently 41 open servers listed on LocalWork. High-volume, high-turnover hiring year-round. Earnings depend far more on venue and shift than on the advertised base rate.

Many states allow a lower "tipped minimum wage" on the assumption tips make up the difference — and legally your employer must top you up if they do not. Advertised rates therefore often exclude tips, which are usually the larger part of the earnings. Ask about average hourly earnings including tips rather than the base rate.