📖 Read the waiters and waitresses salary & career guide →
Waiters and Waitresses Salary in California
Ranked #14 of 51 · CA
Salary Distribution (10th–90th percentile)
About 80% of waiters and waitressess in California earn between $34,320 and $68,950. The blue band is the middle 50% (P25–P75); the dot marks the median.
Compared to the U.S.
The mean waiters and waitresses salary in California is $44,600, about 11.3% above the U.S. average ($40,060). That works out to roughly $21/hr at 2,080 hours per year.
Metro Areas in California
| Metro area | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $41,920 | $52,010 | 12,600 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $38,860 | $46,460 | 29,080 |
| Napa, CA | $37,130 | $45,100 | 1,930 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $36,830 | $43,890 | 3,670 |
| Vallejo, CA | $36,610 | $43,840 | 1,660 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $35,930 | $45,020 | 1,640 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $35,850 | $42,640 | 85,210 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $35,850 | $47,700 | 24,050 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do waiters and waitresses make in California?
The median waiters and waitresses salary in California is $36,080 per year (mean $44,600), and about 80% earn between $34,320 and $68,950.
How much do waiters and waitresses make per hour in California?
Roughly $21 per hour, based on a mean annual wage of $44,600 and 2,080 work hours per year.
Is California a high-paying state for waiters and waitresses?
California ranks #14 of 51 states for waiters and waitresses pay. Its mean salary of $44,600 is about 11.3% above the U.S. average of $40,060.
Which metro areas in California pay waiters and waitresses the most?
The highest-paying metro areas in California for waiters and waitresses are San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($41,920), San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($38,860), Napa, CA ($37,130), by median annual wage.