How much does a waiter and waitress make in California?
$36,080a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in California. That is $17.35 an hour or $3,007 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.35
- Vs. national median
- +2%
- Rank among states
- 22 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 229,970
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,320Median: $36,080Highest 10%: $68,950
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,320 | $16.50 | |
| 25th | $34,900 | $16.78 | |
| Median | $36,080 | $17.35 | |
| 75th | $39,870 | $19.17 | |
| 90th | $68,950 | $33.15 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $41,920 |
| San Francisco, CA | $38,860 |
| Napa, CA | $37,130 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $36,830 |
| Vallejo, CA | $36,610 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $35,930 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $35,850 |
| San Diego, CA | $35,850 |
| Salinas, CA | $35,540 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $35,260 |
| Hanford, CA | $35,160 |
| Sacramento, CA | $35,070 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $34,950 |
| Modesto, CA | $34,910 |
| Oxnard, CA | $34,910 |
| Riverside, CA | $34,800 |
| Stockton, CA | $34,460 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $34,320 |
| Chico, CA | $34,320 |
| El Centro, CA | $34,320 |
| Fresno, CA | $34,320 |
| Merced, CA | $34,320 |
| Redding, CA | $34,320 |
| Visalia, CA | $34,320 |
| Yuba City, CA | $34,320 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for waiter and waitresss.
| 19. Ohio | $36,700 |
| 20. Florida | $36,150 |
| 21. Kansas | $36,120 |
| 22. California | $36,080 |
| 23. Rhode Island | $35,420 |
| 24. West Virginia | $35,380 |
| 25. Pennsylvania | $34,690 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $17.35 ($36,080 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $36,080 against $35,230 nationally, 2% more.
Where does California rank for waiter and waitress pay?
California ranks 22 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays waiter and waitresss the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $41,920 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.