salary$36,570 a year$18 an hour · median pay in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$21,900per year
Top pay (top 10%)$65,340per year
Jobs in the area41,900people work this job
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford Philadelphia?
Expensive. Rent of $1,814 a month takes 59.5% 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 Philadelphia, PA?
The median pay for a server (waiter/waitress) in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area is $36,570 a year ($18 an hour). Most earn between $21,900 and $65,340.
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford to live in Philadelphia?
Typical rent of $1,814 a month takes 59.5% 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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area.