District of Columbia Median
$47,850
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+36% vs US median
US median $35,230
State Rank
#5 of 51
11,530 employed here
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make in District of Columbia?
Waiters and Waitresses in District of Columbia take home a median of $47,850 annually — roughly $23.00 an hour — which runs 36% above the national median of $35,230.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $36,400 while the top 10% make $100,240 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,400 and $78,520 a year.
Waiters and Waitresses salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,400 | $17.50 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,400 | $17.50 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $47,850 | $23.00 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $78,520 | $37.75 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,240 | $48.19 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories for Waiters and Waitresses pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Waiters and Waitresses salary in other states
Hawaii $62,390Vermont $59,140Washington $56,130Oregon $48,410New York $47,020New Jersey $44,960Colorado $44,860Virginia $44,760Arizona $43,950Maine $43,370Massachusetts $38,460New Hampshire $38,430Connecticut $37,770Michigan $37,760New Mexico $36,920Delaware $36,880Maryland $36,750Ohio $36,700Florida $36,150Kansas $36,120California $36,080Rhode Island $35,420West Virginia $35,380Pennsylvania $34,690Nebraska $33,770North Carolina $32,150Illinois $31,200Utah $31,150North Dakota $30,890Idaho $30,050Wisconsin $29,670Kentucky $29,660Missouri $29,400South Dakota $28,990Indiana $28,480Tennessee $27,760Alabama $26,840Nevada $26,410Alaska $26,310Minnesota $25,470Arkansas $24,680Wyoming $23,920Montana $23,370Texas $23,240Mississippi $21,370Iowa $21,000Georgia $18,700South Carolina $18,370Oklahoma $17,910Louisiana $15,080
Working as Waiters and Waitresses in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia pay ($47,850) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in District of Columbia is $47,850 per year, or about $23.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,400 at the entry level to $100,240 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Waiters and Waitresses about 36% more than the national median of $35,230. District of Columbia ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Waiters and Waitresses?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $47,850 a year. About 11,530 Waiters and Waitresses are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Waiters and Waitresses salary report
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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.