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SOC 35-3041·Food Preparation & Serving
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Median wage
$39,090
10-yr outlook
+23.1%by 2032
Openings / year
3,939
Workers in NY
14,690
How pay grows with experience
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — typical pay by experience
Annual wages statewide: starting out, typical (median), and experienced.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting out (entry) | $33,575 |
| Median (typical) | $39,090 |
| Experienced | $46,054 |
Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (NYSDOL / U.S. BLS via data.ny.gov)
Where it pays most across New York
Median pay for this occupation by region. Select a region for its full profile.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — median pay by region
Regional median annual wage, highest first.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| New York City | $46,633 |
| Long Island | $42,496 |
| Hudson Valley | $40,324 |
| North Country | $36,169 |
| Southern Tier | $36,126 |
| Capital Region | $35,788 |
| Finger Lakes | $34,883 |
| Central New York | $34,740 |
| Western New York | $34,370 |
| Mohawk Valley | $33,894 |
Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (NYSDOL / U.S. BLS via data.ny.gov)
A realistic next step
Higher-paying roles in the same field
Jobs in the same field (Food Preparation & Serving) that pay more than this one. A plain “same field, higher pay” guide — not a skills-match score.
- Cooks, Restaurant$41,024 median (+$1,934) · +20.5% by 2032
- Cooks, All Other$43,414 median (+$4,325)
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$46,442 median (+$7,352) · +22.1% by 2032
- Waiters and Waitresses$47,783 median (+$8,693) · +12.2% by 2032
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$48,004 median (+$8,914) · +20.1% by 2032
- Bartenders$62,476 median (+$23,387) · +20.0% by 2032
Ways in
Lower-paying roles in the same field
Jobs in the same field (Food Preparation & Serving) that pay less than this one — often earlier-career roles or a way in.
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$38,126 median (−$964) · +21.1% by 2032
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$37,826 median (−$1,264) · +21.4% by 2032
- Food Preparation Workers$37,049 median (−$2,040) · +9.4% by 2032
- Dishwashers$36,415 median (−$2,675) · +11.6% by 2032
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$36,270 median (−$2,820) · +17.9% by 2032
- Cooks, Fast Food$35,136 median (−$3,953) · +8.6% by 2032
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