salary$47,610 a year$23 an hour · median pay in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$33,810per year
Top pay (top 10%)$95,610per year
Jobs in the area138,720people work this job
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford New York?
Expensive. Rent of $2,806 a month takes 70.7% 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 New York, NY?
The median pay for a server (waiter/waitress) in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ area is $47,610 a year ($23 an hour). Most earn between $33,810 and $95,610.
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford to live in New York?
Typical rent of $2,806 a month takes 70.7% 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 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area.