What Food Servers, Nonrestaurant do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Food Servers, Nonrestaurant this way: "Serve food to individuals outside of a restaurant environment, such as in hotel rooms, hospital rooms, residential care facilities, or cars."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Monitor food distribution, ensuring that meals are delivered to the correct recipients and that guidelines, such as those for special diets, are followed"; "Clean or sterilize dishes, kitchen utensils, equipment, or facilities"; "Examine trays to ensure that they contain required items"; "Place food servings on plates or trays according to orders or instructions"; "Load trays with accessories, such as eating utensils, napkins, or condiments".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is no formal educational credential. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 296,300 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 309,600 in 2035, an increase of 13,300 jobs (+4.5%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 48,800 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 16.5% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $35,360, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earn the most
Across the 5 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $34,145 in Indiana to $39,502 in California, a gap of $5,357 (1.16 times). 3 of those 5 states average above the BLS national median of $35,360 and 2 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 31,910, which is 24.9% of the 128,400 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 29,130.
Highest-paying states
California ($39,502), New York ($38,186) and New Jersey ($37,326) lead the ranking, while Indiana ($34,145) and Illinois ($34,578) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant: pay against the cost of living
We compare 5 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Lake County, IN (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN) at $8,854. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $8,870 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 3 of the 5 markets and falls short in 2. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 47.4% and 102.3% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (35-3000) include Bartenders, Waiters and Waitresses and Fast Food and Counter Workers.
Frequently asked questions about Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
What is the national median wage for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $35,360. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $34,145 to $39,502.
Which state pays Food Servers, Nonrestaurant the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $39,502. New York is next at $38,186.
What is the job outlook for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
BLS projects employment to grow by 4.5% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 48,800 openings a year.
What education do Food Servers, Nonrestaurant need?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Food Servers, Nonrestaurant afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Lake County, IN leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $8,854 on a median wage of $35,670.