How much does a food server make in Rochester?
$35,780a year
Median yearly pay for food servers in the Rochester, NY metro area. That is $17.20 an hour or $2,982 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.20
- Vs. national median
- +1%
- Rank among cities
- 80 of 353
- Jobs in the area
- 1,300
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $32,240Median: $35,780Highest 10%: $43,930
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,240 | $15.50 | |
| 25th | $33,610 | $16.16 | |
| Median | $35,780 | $17.20 | |
| 75th | $38,190 | $18.36 | |
| 90th | $43,930 | $21.12 |
Other cities in New York
Median yearly pay for food servers.
| 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 |
| Albany, NY | $35,550 |
| Kingston, NY | $34,980 |
| Utica, NY | $34,430 |
| Buffalo, NY | $34,190 |
Related jobs in Rochester
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $66,080 |
| Bartender | $45,920 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $45,310 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $43,040 |
| Cook | $38,670 |
| Cook | $38,380 |
| Cook | $36,580 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $35,310 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,020 |
| Dishwasher | $33,880 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food server make an hour in Rochester?
The median hourly pay in the Rochester, NY metro area is $17.20 ($35,780 a year).
Do food servers make more in Rochester than the national average?
Yes: $35,780 against $35,360 nationally, 1% more.
How does Rochester compare with the rest of New York?
The median in New York is $39,370, so Rochester pays 9% less.
Where does Rochester rank for food server pay?
80 of 353 metro areas with data.
How much does a food server make starting out in Rochester?
The lowest-paid 10% make $32,240 or less a year; the top 10% make $43,930 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.