Waiter Salary in San Diego, CA
Updated
The median waiter in the San Diego area earns $35,850 a year ($17.24 an hour), 2% above the U.S. median ($35,230) and 1% below the California median ($36,080). Half of the 24,050 waiters there earn between $35,280 and $37,020.
Median $35,850
10th: $34,82090th: $82,800
| Annual pay | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,820 | $34,320 | $18,100 |
| 25th percentile | $35,280 | $34,900 | $27,750 |
| Median | $35,850 | $36,080 | $35,230 |
| 75th percentile | $37,020 | $39,870 | $47,110 |
| 90th percentile | $82,800 | $68,950 | $64,720 |
| Average | $47,700 | $44,600 | $40,060 |
| Jobs | 24,050 | 229,970 | 2,270,910 |
San Diego, CA ranks 26th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for waiter pay. Highest: Seattle, WA ($57,280).
Paid less than $35,850? That gap, with its source, is the strongest line in a raise request. Check your pay for your level in 30 seconds. Free, no sign-up.
Check my payWaiter pay in other cities
- San Jose, CA: $41,920
- San Francisco, CA: $38,860
- Los Angeles, CA: $35,850
- Seattle, WA: $57,280
- Portland, OR: $54,780
- New York, NY: $47,610
- Phoenix, AZ: $47,530
- Buffalo, NY: $46,580
- All cities
Similar jobs in San Diego, CA
- Fast Food Worker: $42,190
- Bartender: $36,260
- Restaurant Cook: $46,440
- Food Service Supervisor: $46,980
- Food Preparation Worker: $38,780
- All jobs in San Diego, CA
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.