salary$46,580 a year$22 an hour · median pay in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$32,240per year
Top pay (top 10%)$86,590per year
Jobs in the area7,990people work this job
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford Buffalo?
Expensive. Rent of $1,397 a month takes 36.0% 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
Other jobs in Buffalo
Registered NurseNurse PractitionerLicensed Practical NurseNursing AssistantMedical AssistantPharmacistPhysician AssistantDental HygienistElementary School TeacherSoftware DeveloperComputer Systems AnalystAccountantMarket Research AnalystOperations Manager
Frequently asked questions
How much does a server (waiter/waitress) make in Buffalo, NY?
The median pay for a server (waiter/waitress) in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY area is $46,580 a year ($22 an hour). Most earn between $32,240 and $86,590.
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford to live in Buffalo?
Typical rent of $1,397 a month takes 36.0% 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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area.