salary$38,860 a year$19 an hour · median pay in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$35,780per year
Top pay (top 10%)$74,900per year
Jobs in the area29,080people work this job
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford San Francisco?
Expensive. Rent of $3,201 a month takes 98.8% 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 Francisco, CA?
The median pay for a server (waiter/waitress) in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area is $38,860 a year ($19 an hour). Most earn between $35,780 and $74,900.
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford to live in San Francisco?
Typical rent of $3,201 a month takes 98.8% 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area.