Waiter Salary in San Jose, CA
Updated
The median waiter in the San Jose area earns $41,920 a year ($20.15 an hour), 19% above the U.S. median ($35,230) and 16% above the California median ($36,080). Half of the 12,600 waiters there earn between $39,300 and $44,560.
Median $41,920
10th: $37,34090th: $97,730
| Annual pay | San Jose area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,340 | $34,320 | $18,100 |
| 25th percentile | $39,300 | $34,900 | $27,750 |
| Median | $41,920 | $36,080 | $35,230 |
| 75th percentile | $44,560 | $39,870 | $47,110 |
| 90th percentile | $97,730 | $68,950 | $64,720 |
| Average | $52,010 | $44,600 | $40,060 |
| Jobs | 12,600 | 229,970 | 2,270,910 |
San Jose, CA ranks 8th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for waiter pay. Highest: Seattle, WA ($57,280).
Paid less than $41,920? 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 Francisco, CA: $38,860
- Los Angeles, CA: $35,850
- San Diego, 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 Jose, CA
- Fast Food Worker: $44,570
- Bartender: $42,270
- Restaurant Cook: $47,170
- Food Service Supervisor: $55,520
- Food Preparation Worker: $45,580
- All jobs in San Jose, 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.