salary$35,850 a year$17 an hour · median pay in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$34,820per year
Top pay (top 10%)$82,800per year
Jobs in the area24,050people work this job
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford San Diego?
Expensive. Rent of $3,011 a month takes 100.8% 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 San Diego, CA?
The median pay for a server (waiter/waitress) in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA area is $35,850 a year ($17 an hour). Most earn between $34,820 and $82,800.
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford to live in San Diego?
Typical rent of $3,011 a month takes 100.8% 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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area.