Careers · Waiters and Waitresses · California
Waiters and Waitresses in California
Waiters and waitresses take customer orders and serve food and beverages at tables in restaurants, cafes, and other dining establishments. They interact with patrons throughout meals, manage tables, and coordinate with kitchen and bar staff to ensure timely delivery of orders. In California the median pay is $36,080 a year, 2% above the national median of $35,230.
$36,080median pay in California, per year
$34,900–$39,870middle half earn
229,970employed in California
$35,230U.S. median, for comparison
Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against waiters and waitresses and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against waiters and waitresses and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
Who is hiring in California
57open roles like this on employer career sites, 5 in California or remote
21employers hiring
13posted in the last 7 days
FL · VA · TXwhere most openings are
What it takes
Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most hold a high school diploma.
Skills that matter most
Service OrientationActive ListeningSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationMonitoringCritical ThinkingReading Comprehension
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageSales and MarketingFood ProductionMathematics (knowledge)Administration and Management
Full profile, interests that fit, certifications and training: Waiters and Waitresses.
Licenses and training in California
Waiters and Waitresses pay in other states
Hawaii · $62,390Vermont · $59,140Washington · $56,130Oregon · $48,410District of Columbia · $47,850New York · $47,020New Jersey · $44,960Colorado · $44,860Virginia · $44,760Arizona · $43,950
Related occupations
BartendersFast Food and Counter WorkersBaristasFood Servers, NonrestaurantChefs and Head CooksFirst-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving WorkersCooks, Fast FoodCooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against waiters and waitresses and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against waiters and waitresses and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 35-3031.00. Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, California, annual.