Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Delaware (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Waiters and Waitresses in Delaware, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Delaware Median
$36,880
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.73
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $35,230
State Rank
#17 of 51
7,580 employed here

How much do Waiters and Waitresses make in Delaware?

Waiters and Waitresses in Delaware take home a median of $36,880 annually — roughly $17.73 an hour — which runs 5% above the national median of $35,230.

Within Delaware, entry-level pay starts around $31,200 while the top 10% make $62,000 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,200 and $46,400 a year.

Waiters and Waitresses salary range in Delaware

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,200$15.00
25th percentile (early career)$31,200$15.00
50th percentile (median)$36,880$17.73
75th percentile (experienced)$46,400$22.31
90th percentile (top earners)$62,000$29.81

How Delaware compares

Delaware ranks 17th out of 51 states and territories for Waiters and Waitresses pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$62,390
2Vermont$59,140
3Washington$56,130
4Oregon$48,410
5District of Columbia$47,850

Working as Waiters and Waitresses in Delaware

Nationally, about 2,271,000 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Delaware pay ($36,880) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Waiters and Waitresses make in Delaware?
The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Delaware is $36,880 per year, or about $17.73 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,200 at the entry level to $62,000 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Delaware pay compare to the national average?
Delaware pays Waiters and Waitresses about 5% more than the national median of $35,230. Delaware ranks 17th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Delaware a good state for Waiters and Waitresses?
Yes on pay — Delaware pays above the national median for this occupation, at $36,880 a year. About 7,580 Waiters and Waitresses are employed in Delaware. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Delaware?
The highest-paying occupations in Delaware include Dermatologist ($442,120), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($324,080), Physician, All Other ($297,470), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Waiters and Waitresses salary report

Related salaries

Cook, Restaurant

$37,390
median pay · 1,410,000 employed

Food Server, Nonrestaurant

$35,360
median pay · 294,000 employed

Bartender

$34,340
median pay · 756,000 employed

Cook, Short Order

$35,880
median pay · 139,000 employed

Dishwasher

$34,810
median pay · 477,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.