Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$34,320
- 25th Percentile — Junior$34,900
- 50th Percentile — Median$36,080
- 75th Percentile — Senior$39,870
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$68,950
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in California earn more than $36,080. The top 10% make $68,950 or more, while entry-level workers start around $34,320.
Waiters and Waitresses in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 14th of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $44,600 per year (11.3% above the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 229,970 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in California — 10.1% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 0.86: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $34,320; the top 10% earn over $68,950.
- Hourly equivalent: $21.44 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in California, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($69,130).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $44,600 on average, placing the state 14th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $44,600 is roughly equivalent to $31,408 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Jersey ($50,260), Virginia ($46,680), Connecticut ($46,220) are the closest alternatives for Waiters and Waitresses weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $69,130/yr California +55.0% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $52,810/yr California +18.4% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $47,900/yr California +7.4% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $45,020/yr California +0.9% vs this role
- Bartenders $44,780/yr California +0.4% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $41,680/yr California 6.5% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $41,490/yr California 7.0% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $40,660/yr California 8.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in California?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in California is $44,600 per year (median $36,080), which is 11.3% above the national average of $40,060.
How does California rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
California ranks 14th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in California earn about $34,320 per year and the 25th percentile is $34,900.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in California?
About $21.44 per hour, based on the $44,600 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in California?
BLS counts 229,970 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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