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Food Servers, Nonrestaurant Salary in San Diego, CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in San Diego, CA have a median annual salary of $38,260, with 3,400 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $35,240 at the 10th percentile to $50,070 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$38,260

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$18.39

Employment

3,400

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$35,240
10th
$36,510
25th
$38,260
Median
$43,050
75th
$50,070
90th

Local compared with national

San Diego, CA

$38,260

Median annual · 2025

United States

$35,360

Median annual · 2025

The San Diego, CA median is 8.2% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $2,900).

Top skills

  1. 1.Active ListeningImportance 3.0
  2. 2.SpeakingImportance 3.0
  3. 3.Service OrientationImportance 3.0
  4. 4.Reading ComprehensionImportance 2.9
  5. 5.Critical ThinkingImportance 2.9
  6. 6.Social PerceptivenessImportance 2.9
  7. 7.CoordinationImportance 2.9
  8. 8.Time ManagementImportance 2.9
  9. 9.MonitoringImportance 2.8
  10. 10.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 2.8
  11. 11.Management of Personnel ResourcesImportance 2.3
  12. 12.PersuasionImportance 2.1

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Capital Codeworks MenuMax
  • CBORD Nutrition Service Suite
  • Facebook
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Picis CareSuite

Common tasks

  • Place food servings on plates or trays according to orders or instructions.
  • Clean or sterilize dishes, kitchen utensils, equipment, or facilities.
  • Monitor food distribution, ensuring that meals are delivered to the correct recipients and that guidelines, such as those for special diets, are followed.
  • Examine trays to ensure that they contain required items.
  • Load trays with accessories, such as eating utensils, napkins, or condiments.
  • Take food orders and relay orders to kitchens or serving counters so they can be filled.
  • Monitor food preparation or serving techniques to ensure that proper procedures are followed.
  • Remove trays and stack dishes for return to kitchen after meals are finished.
  • Carry food, silverware, or linen on trays or use carts to carry trays.
  • Record amounts and types of special food items served to customers.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in other locations

Other occupations in San Diego, CA