How much does a food server make in New York?
$39,370a year
Median yearly pay for food servers in New York. That is $18.93 an hour or $3,281 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.93
- Vs. national median
- +11%
- Rank among states
- 1 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 17,520
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $33,110Median: $39,370Highest 10%: $52,630
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,110 | $15.92 | |
| 25th | $35,660 | $17.14 | |
| Median | $39,370 | $18.93 | |
| 75th | $48,740 | $23.43 | |
| 90th | $52,630 | $25.30 |
Cities in New York
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Ithaca, NY | $40,240 |
| New York, NY | $39,120 |
| Syracuse, NY | $36,770 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $36,160 |
| Binghamton, NY | $36,060 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $36,030 |
| Rochester, NY | $35,780 |
| Albany, NY | $35,550 |
| Kingston, NY | $34,980 |
| Utica, NY | $34,430 |
| Buffalo, NY | $34,190 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for food servers.
| 1. New York | $39,370 |
| 2. California | $39,010 |
| 3. Colorado | $38,900 |
| 4. Washington | $38,870 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food server make an hour in New York?
The median hourly pay in New York is $18.93 ($39,370 a year).
Do food servers make more in New York than the national average?
Yes: $39,370 against $35,360 nationally, 11% more.
Where does New York rank for food server pay?
New York ranks 1 of 51 states.
Which city in New York pays food servers the most?
Ithaca, NY, with a median of $40,240 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.