salary$34,860 a year$17 an hour · median pay in the Raleigh-Cary, NC area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$17,850per year
Top pay (top 10%)$64,240per year
Jobs in the area10,290people work this job
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford Raleigh?
Expensive. Rent of $1,822 a month takes 62.7% 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 Raleigh, NC?
The median pay for a server (waiter/waitress) in the Raleigh-Cary, NC area is $34,860 a year ($17 an hour). Most earn between $17,850 and $64,240.
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford to live in Raleigh?
Typical rent of $1,822 a month takes 62.7% 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 Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area.