salary$48,720 a year$23 an hour · median pay in the Salem, OR area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$31,300per year
Top pay (top 10%)$74,850per year
Jobs in the area1,850people work this job
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford Salem?
Expensive. Rent of $1,690 a month takes 41.6% 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 Salem
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 Salem, OR?
The median pay for a server (waiter/waitress) in the Salem, OR area is $48,720 a year ($23 an hour). Most earn between $31,300 and $74,850.
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford to live in Salem?
Typical rent of $1,690 a month takes 41.6% 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 Salem, OR metro area.