Food Servers, Nonrestaurant Salary Trend (2011–2024)

Historical salary and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Median Salary in 2024
$34,460
76.3% since 2011

Median Salary Over Time

Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — Median Annual Salary
$18K$23K$27K$31K$36K20112013201520172019202120232024$20K$34K

Employment Over Time

Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — Total Employment
215K232K249K266K283K20112013201520172019202120232024221K272K

Key Insights

📈Salaries grew 76.3% since 2011 ($19,550$34,460)
🏆Peak year: 2024 at $34,460
🦠COVID impact: Salary rose 6.1% from 2019 to 2020, likely reflecting workforce composition changes.
💰After inflation (~3%/yr), real growth is approximately +20%

Year-by-Year Salary Data

YearMedian SalaryYoY Change
2024$34,460+4.1%
2023$33,110+9.3%
2022$30,300+5.5%
2021$28,730+10.9%
2020$25,910+6.1%
2019$24,430+4.9%
2018$23,290+4.3%
2017$22,320+5.1%
2016$21,240+4.0%
2015$20,420+2.6%
2014$19,900-0.1%
2013$19,920+1.4%
2012$19,640+0.5%
2011$19,550
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2011–2024. All figures are annual median wages in nominal dollars.