salary$54,780 a year$26 an hour · median pay in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$33,980per year
Top pay (top 10%)$81,630per year
Jobs in the area13,910people work this job
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford Portland?
Expensive. Rent of $1,874 a month takes 41.1% 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 Portland, OR?
The median pay for a server (waiter/waitress) in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA area is $54,780 a year ($26 an hour). Most earn between $33,980 and $81,630.
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford to live in Portland?
Typical rent of $1,874 a month takes 41.1% 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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area.