salary$41,920 a year$20 an hour · median pay in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$37,340per year
Top pay (top 10%)$97,730per year
Jobs in the area12,600people work this job
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford Santa Clara?
Expensive. Rent of $3,309 a month takes 94.7% 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 Santa Clara, CA?
The median pay for a server (waiter/waitress) in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area is $41,920 a year ($20 an hour). Most earn between $37,340 and $97,730.
Can a server (waiter/waitress) afford to live in Santa Clara?
Typical rent of $3,309 a month takes 94.7% 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area.