Waiter Jobs in California

Waiter jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with steady demand concentrated in full-service restaurants, hotel dining rooms, and upscale hospitality venues from entry-level positions through senior floor roles. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are the largest hiring metros, where operators like Darden Restaurants, Compass Group, and the Pechanga Resort Casino maintain consistent staffing needs year-round. The highest demand is for waiters with fine dining experience, banquet service skills, and familiarity with wine or beverage programs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Waiter Jobs

Overview

Open roles318+
Top employerBKF Engineers
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring85
Work type79% On-site
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 318+ Waiter jobs

Hornblower Group
Server
We won't show you this job again
Hornblower Group
Added 3w ago
Server
Hornblower Group
San Francisco, California
Food Service
Hospitality & Guest Services
Customer Service & Support
Hospitality Management
On-Site
High School
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Hornblower Group
Server
We won't show you this job again
Hornblower Group
Added 1mo ago
Server
Hornblower Group
Newport Beach, California
Food Service
Hospitality & Guest Services
Customer Service & Support
Hospitality Management
On-Site
High School
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

American Golf Corporation
Server
We won't show you this job again
American Golf Corporation
Added 3mo ago
Server
American Golf Corporation
Mission Viejo, California
Food Service
Hospitality & Guest Services
Customer Service & Support
Hospitality Management
On-Site
High School

Have you applied for this role?

RH
Server
We won't show you this job again
RH
Added 4mo ago
Server
RH
San Francisco, California
Customer Service & Support
Food Service
Hospitality & Guest Services
Hospitality Management
On-Site
None

Have you applied for this role?

RH
Server
We won't show you this job again
RH
Added 4mo ago
Server
RH
Corte Madera, California
Food Service
Hospitality & Guest Services
Cleaning & Housekeeping
Hospitality Management
On-Site
None

Have you applied for this role?

See All 318+ Waiter Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Waiter Jobs

Waiter Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Los Angeles
27 jobs
San Francisco
25 jobs
Santa Clara
20 jobs
San Diego
16 jobs
Glendale
13 jobs
Sacramento
13 jobs
Walnut Creek
13 jobs
Irvine
12 jobs
Fresno
10 jobs

Waiter Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • BKF Engineers
    BKF Engineers24
  • Brio Water Technology
    Brio Water Technology19
  • Kennedy/Jenks Consultants
    Kennedy/Jenks Consultants16
  • American Golf Corporation
    American Golf Corporation15
  • Carollo Engineers
    Carollo Engineers15

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services138
  • Technology & Software45
  • Waste Management & Environmental Services22
  • Hospitality & Tourism16
  • Sports & Recreation16

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in waiter jobs across California.

  • California Food Handler Card required within 30 days of hire
  • Prior table service experience in a full-service or fine dining setting
  • Responsible Beverage Service certification for roles serving alcohol
  • Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled
  • Strong knowledge of food allergens, menu items, and preparation methods
  • Point-of-sale system proficiency, including order entry and payment processing

Waiter Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a waiter in California?

Becoming a waiter in California requires a California Food Handler Card, which you obtain by completing an accredited food safety course and passing an exam through a provider approved by the California Department of Public Health. Restaurants serving alcohol typically also require Responsible Beverage Service training. No formal degree is needed. Most California employers expect candidates to complete on-the-job training covering the menu, POS systems, and service standards before working a full section independently.

How much do waiters make in California?

Waiters in California earn a median of about $36,080 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $34,320 for the lowest 10% to over $68,950 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire waiters in California?

Employers hiring waiters in California right now include BKF Engineers, Brio Water Technology, and Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's large resort properties, hotel restaurant groups, and multi-location dining concepts tend to post the most consistently and offer structured onboarding for new hires.

Which California cities have the most waiter jobs?

Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Clara have the most waiter openings in California. Los Angeles and San Francisco generate the bulk of listings because of their dense concentrations of upscale restaurants, hotel dining operations, and entertainment-driven hospitality venues, while San Diego's year-round tourism and convention activity keeps demand consistently high across all service levels.

Are there remote waiter jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Waiter work is hands-on and location-dependent by nature, so the vast majority of roles require in-person service. About 21% of waiter openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those tend to be coordination or event-planning adjacent roles rather than floor service positions.

How can I get hired as a waiter in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is to start as a host, busser, or food runner at a full-service California restaurant, then move into a waiter role once you understand the floor. Large California hotel groups and restaurant chains often run structured front-of-house training programs that bring in candidates without prior serving experience. Earning a California Food Handler Card before you apply signals readiness and removes a common hiring barrier for managers considering first-time applicants.

Where can I find and apply to waiter jobs in California?

You can find and apply to waiter jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and availability, and apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 318+ Waiter Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Waiter Jobs