How much does a food server make in State College?
$33,540a year
Median yearly pay for food servers in the State College, PA metro area. That is $16.13 an hour or $2,795 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.13
- Vs. national median
- -5%
- Rank among cities
- 180 of 353
- Jobs in the area
- 130
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $20,960Median: $33,540Highest 10%: $39,010
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $20,960 | $10.08 | |
| 25th | $28,160 | $13.54 | |
| Median | $33,540 | $16.13 | |
| 75th | $38,560 | $18.54 | |
| 90th | $39,010 | $18.75 |
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Median yearly pay for food servers.
| Williamsport, PA | $36,170 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $34,630 |
| Allentown, PA | $34,370 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $33,790 |
| York, PA | $33,500 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $33,380 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $33,300 |
| Lebanon, PA | $33,040 |
| Erie, PA | $32,300 |
| Reading, PA | $30,810 |
| Lancaster, PA | $30,660 |
| Scranton, PA | $30,600 |
| Johnstown, PA | $28,760 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $28,520 |
| Altoona, PA | $27,860 |
Related jobs in State College
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $58,560 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $42,500 |
| Cook | $37,100 |
| Cook | $35,990 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $35,280 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,210 |
| Cook | $29,020 |
| Dishwasher | $28,950 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $28,720 |
| Bartender | $28,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food server make an hour in State College?
The median hourly pay in the State College, PA metro area is $16.13 ($33,540 a year).
Do food servers make more in State College than the national average?
No: $33,540 against $35,360 nationally, 5% less.
How does State College compare with the rest of Pennsylvania?
The median in Pennsylvania is $33,300, so State College pays 1% more.
Where does State College rank for food server pay?
180 of 353 metro areas with data.
How much does a food server make starting out in State College?
The lowest-paid 10% make $20,960 or less a year; the top 10% make $39,010 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.