salary$39,270 a year$19 an hour · median pay in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$31,930per year
Top pay (top 10%)$64,150per year
Jobs in the area41,570people work this job
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford Boston?
Expensive. Rent of $3,112 a month takes 95.1% of the median server (waiter/waitress) salary. That is over the 30% rule, so many people in this job share housing or need a second income.
Server (Waiter/Waitress) pay in similar cities
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a server (waiter/waitress) make in Boston, MA?
The median pay for a server (waiter/waitress) in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area is $39,270 a year ($19 an hour). Most earn between $31,930 and $64,150.
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford to live in Boston?
Typical rent of $3,112 a month takes 95.1% of the median server (waiter/waitress) salary, which we rate Expensive.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area.