How much does a food server make in Columbia?
$32,800a year
Median yearly pay for food servers in the Columbia, MO metro area. That is $15.77 an hour or $2,733 a month.
- Hourly
- $15.77
- Vs. national median
- -7%
- Rank among cities
- 191 of 353
- Jobs in the area
- 330
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,670Median: $32,800Highest 10%: $39,540
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,670 | $13.78 | |
| 25th | $29,640 | $14.25 | |
| Median | $32,800 | $15.77 | |
| 75th | $35,260 | $16.95 | |
| 90th | $39,540 | $19.01 |
Other cities in Missouri
Median yearly pay for food servers.
| St. Louis, MO | $34,340 |
| Kansas City, MO | $33,620 |
| Springfield, MO | $31,130 |
| Joplin, MO | $30,370 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $30,210 |
| St. Joseph, MO | $30,210 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $30,090 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $52,870 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,060 |
| Cook | $35,260 |
| Cook | $35,240 |
| Cook | $33,900 |
| Dishwasher | $30,780 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,860 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,710 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $29,390 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $29,250 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food server make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, MO metro area is $15.77 ($32,800 a year).
Do food servers make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $32,800 against $35,360 nationally, 7% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of Missouri?
The median in Missouri is $31,840, so Columbia pays 3% more.
Where does Columbia rank for food server pay?
191 of 353 metro areas with data.
How much does a food server make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,670 or less a year; the top 10% make $39,540 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.