How much does a food server make in Portland?
$37,200a year
Median yearly pay for food servers in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area. That is $17.88 an hour or $3,100 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.88
- Vs. national median
- +5%
- Rank among cities
- 43 of 353
- Jobs in the area
- 280
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $31,570Median: $37,200Highest 10%: $46,380
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,570 | $15.18 | |
| 25th | $34,940 | $16.80 | |
| Median | $37,200 | $17.88 | |
| 75th | $42,480 | $20.42 | |
| 90th | $46,380 | $22.30 |
Other cities in Maine
Median yearly pay for food servers.
| Lewiston, ME | $38,140 |
Related jobs in Portland
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $57,380 |
| Bartender | $54,170 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $49,880 |
| Cook | $47,000 |
| Cook | $46,560 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $44,070 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $39,170 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,260 |
| Host and Hostess | $37,100 |
| Cook | $36,470 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food server make an hour in Portland?
The median hourly pay in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $17.88 ($37,200 a year).
Do food servers make more in Portland than the national average?
Yes: $37,200 against $35,360 nationally, 5% more.
How does Portland compare with the rest of Maine?
The median in Maine is $37,680, so Portland pays 1% less.
Where does Portland rank for food server pay?
43 of 353 metro areas with data.
How much does a food server make starting out in Portland?
The lowest-paid 10% make $31,570 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,380 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.