Virginia Median
$44,760
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.52
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+27% vs US median
US median $35,230
State Rank
#9 of 51
59,370 employed here
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make in Virginia?
Waiters and Waitresses working in Virginia earn a median salary of $44,760 per year, or about $21.52 per hour. That is 27% above the national median of $35,230 for this occupation.
Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $28,270 while the top 10% make $74,130 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,760 and $56,430 a year.
Waiters and Waitresses salary range in Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,270 | $13.59 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $32,760 | $15.75 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,760 | $21.52 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $56,430 | $27.13 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,130 | $35.64 |
|
How Virginia compares
Virginia ranks 9th 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 $48,410District of Columbia $47,850New York $47,020New Jersey $44,960Colorado $44,860Arizona $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 Virginia
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 Virginia pay ($44,760) 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 Virginia?
The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Virginia is $44,760 per year, or about $21.52 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $28,270 at the entry level to $74,130 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Waiters and Waitresses about 27% more than the national median of $35,230. Virginia ranks 9th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Waiters and Waitresses?
Yes on pay — Virginia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $44,760 a year. About 59,370 Waiters and Waitresses are employed in Virginia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.