SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — San Francisco
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in San Francisco, CA is $38,860 per year, 10.3% above the national median of $35,230.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in San Francisco, CA is $38,860 per year, 10.3% above the national median of $35,230. Half of workers earn between $36,880 and $43,310. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $35,780 and the ninetieth at $74,900.
The area has 29,080 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 12.2 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, San Jose records the highest median at $41,920. Of the 688 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 684th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,780 | +1.6% |
| 25th | $36,880 | +4.7% |
| Median (50th) | $38,860 | +10.3% |
| 75th | $43,310 | +22.9% |
| 90th | $74,900 | +112.6% |
| Mean | $46,460 | +31.9% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $41,920 | 12,600 | |
| 2 | Napa | $37,130 | 1,930 | |
| 3 | Santa Rosa | $36,830 | 3,670 | |
| 4 | Vallejo | $36,610 | 1,660 | |
| 5 | Santa Cruz | $35,930 | 1,640 | |
| 6 | Los Angeles | $35,850 | 85,210 | |
| 7 | San Diego | $35,850 | 24,050 | |
| 8 | Salinas | $35,540 | 3,100 | |
| 9 | Santa Maria | $35,260 | 3,540 | |
| 10 | Hanford | $35,160 | 380 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Francisco run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $38,860 buys what $35,104 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 0.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$38,860as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,104US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $38,860 a year, 10.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,780 to $74,900 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 29,080 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Jose, at $41,920.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in San Francisco, CA?
The median annual wage is $38,860, or $18.69 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $35,230, so pay in San Francisco, CA is 10.3% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in San Francisco, CA earns more than $74,900 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,780 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Jose, at $41,920 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 29,080 jobs in this occupation in San Francisco, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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