How much does a food server make in District of Columbia?
$37,920a year
Median yearly pay for food servers in District of Columbia. That is $18.23 an hour or $3,160 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.23
- Vs. national median
- +7%
- Rank among states
- 6 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 1,260
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,400Median: $37,920Highest 10%: $54,650
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,400 | $17.50 | |
| 25th | $37,220 | $17.89 | |
| Median | $37,920 | $18.23 | |
| 75th | $44,350 | $21.32 | |
| 90th | $54,650 | $26.27 |
Cities in District of Columbia
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Washington, DC | $37,540 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for food servers.
| 3. Colorado | $38,900 |
| 4. Washington | $38,870 |
| 5. Alaska | $38,090 |
| 6. District of Columbia | $37,920 |
| 7. Hawaii | $37,920 |
| 8. Maine | $37,680 |
| 9. Vermont | $37,540 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food server make an hour in District of Columbia?
The median hourly pay in District of Columbia is $18.23 ($37,920 a year).
Do food servers make more in District of Columbia than the national average?
Yes: $37,920 against $35,360 nationally, 7% more.
Where does District of Columbia rank for food server pay?
District of Columbia ranks 6 of 51 states.
Which city in District of Columbia pays food servers the most?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, with a median of $37,540 a year.
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.