How much does a food service worker make in the United States?
This is the median gross salary: half earn more and half earn less. That is $2,615 a month.
- Approx. take-home per month
- $2,279
- Compared with the median pay in the United States
- 0.6 times
- Data from
- 2025
Where the United States ranks among 144 countries
Each line is a country, on a log scale from $100 to $100,000 a year.
In other countries
Median gross salary a year, in dollars.
| 1. Switzerland estimate | $52,160 |
| 2. Iceland estimate | $51,960 |
| 3. Belgium estimate | $46,930 |
| 8. Ireland estimate | $31,420 |
| 9. United States | $31,380 |
| 10. United Kingdom | $30,630 |
| 144. Nigeria estimate | $284 |
Similar jobs
Service and sales workers
- Runway model$48,470
- Promotions demonstrator$39,320
- Door to door seller$41,380
- Call centre agent$35,450
- Gas station salesperson$35,670
- Rental sales worker$41,800
By state
Median gross salary a year.
| California | $41,380 |
| District of Columbia | $38,140 |
| Washington | $37,940 |
| Hawaii | $37,700 |
| Colorado | $36,320 |
| Vermont | $36,020 |
| Massachusetts | $35,790 |
| New York | $35,540 |
| Connecticut | $35,260 |
| Oregon | $35,160 |
See all 51 states
| Maine | $35,030 |
| Arizona | $34,560 |
| Maryland | $34,370 |
| New Jersey | $34,150 |
| Illinois | $33,520 |
| Alaska | $32,490 |
| Rhode Island | $31,440 |
| Delaware | $31,360 |
| Minnesota | $31,130 |
| New Hampshire | $31,090 |
| Nevada | $30,970 |
| Missouri | $30,800 |
| Virginia | $30,350 |
| North Dakota | $30,150 |
| Florida | $29,820 |
| South Dakota | $29,550 |
| Nebraska | $29,110 |
| Michigan | $29,090 |
| Montana | $28,980 |
| Idaho | $28,880 |
| New Mexico | $28,760 |
| Indiana | $28,750 |
| Pennsylvania | $28,660 |
| Utah | $28,540 |
| Ohio | $28,500 |
| North Carolina | $28,460 |
| Wisconsin | $28,450 |
| Iowa | $28,380 |
| Tennessee | $27,690 |
| Wyoming | $27,590 |
| Kansas | $27,500 |
| South Carolina | $27,460 |
| Georgia | $27,100 |
| Kentucky | $27,070 |
| Texas | $27,020 |
| Arkansas | $26,330 |
| West Virginia | $26,240 |
| Oklahoma | $23,750 |
| Alabama | $23,610 |
| Louisiana | $23,180 |
| Mississippi | $22,650 |
Jobs in this group in the United States
Official name of each one and its median salary a year.
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $31,200 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $33,980 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food service worker make a month in the United States?
The median gross salary is $2,615 a month, $31,380 a year.
How much does a food service worker make starting out and with experience?
The lowest-paid 10%, usually people starting out, make around $22,740 a year; the top 10%, with experience or senior roles, make more than $42,910.
Which country pays a food service worker the most?
Germany, with a median of $34,360 a year before tax, according to our data.
Which state pays a food service worker the most?
California, with a median of $41,380 a year.
Does a food service worker make more in the United States or in Germany?
In Germany: $34,360 a year against $31,380 in the United States, 1.1 times more.
Who makes more, a food service worker or a runway model?
A runway model: $48,470 a year against $31,380 for a food service worker, 1.5 times more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS survey, 2025. How we calculate