Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in Reading, PA
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $30,810 a year ($14.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,550 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 7% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $33,300. There are 2.2 food servers, nonrestaurant per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $33,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food servers, nonrestaurant in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,290 | $11.68 |
| 25th percentile | $28,230 | $13.57 |
| Median | $30,810 | $14.81 |
| 75th percentile | $38,400 | $18.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,550 | $21.90 |
| Average (mean) | $33,240 | $15.98 |
Half of food servers, nonrestaurant earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,567.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,283.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,185 |
| Weekly | $592.50 |
| Hourly | $14.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Williamsport, PA | $36,170 | 150 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $34,630 | 2,340 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $34,370 | 950 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $33,790 | 170 |
| State College, PA | $33,540 | 130 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $33,500 | 340 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $33,380 | 670 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $33,300 | 7,610 |
| Lebanon, PA | $33,040 | 100 |
| Erie, PA | $32,300 | 280 |
| Lancaster, PA | $30,660 | 1,060 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $30,600 | 490 |
| Johnstown, PA | $28,760 | 70 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $28,520 | 90 |
| Altoona, PA | $27,860 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for food servers, nonrestaurant
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $39,370 |
| California | $39,010 |
| Colorado | $38,900 |
| Washington | $38,870 |
| Alaska | $38,090 |
| District of Columbia | $37,920 |
| Hawaii | $37,920 |
| Maine | $37,680 |
| Vermont | $37,540 |
| North Dakota | $36,910 |
See Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,090 | $13.51 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,760 | $14.79 |
| Bartender | $28,260 | $13.59 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,800 | $19.14 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,580 | $15.18 |
| Dishwasher | $27,650 | $13.30 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,190 | $13.55 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,330 | $13.14 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,980 | $32.20 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $28,910 | $13.90 |
| Cooks, All Other | $35,020 | $16.84 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Reading, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food servers, nonrestaurant make in Reading, PA?
The median salary for food servers, nonrestaurant in the Reading, PA metro area is $30,810 a year, or $14.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food servers, nonrestaurant make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of food servers, nonrestaurant in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $45,550 a year. The top 25% earn $38,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for food servers, nonrestaurant in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,290 a year, and a quarter of food servers, nonrestaurant earn $28,230 or less.
How many food servers, nonrestaurant work in Reading, PA?
About 380 food servers, nonrestaurant are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.