Waiters and Waitresses Salary in West Virginia (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
West Virginia Median
$35,380
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.01
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+0% vs US median
US median $35,230
State Rank
#24 of 51
8,600 employed here

How much do Waiters and Waitresses make in West Virginia?

Waiters and Waitresses working in West Virginia earn a median salary of $35,380 per year, or about $17.01 per hour. That is 0% above the national median of $35,230 for this occupation.

Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $20,230 while the top 10% make $60,560 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $22,800 and $47,430 a year.

Waiters and Waitresses salary range in West Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$20,230$9.73
25th percentile (early career)$22,800$10.96
50th percentile (median)$35,380$17.01
75th percentile (experienced)$47,430$22.80
90th percentile (top earners)$60,560$29.12

How West Virginia compares

West Virginia ranks 24th 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 West 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 West Virginia pay ($35,380) 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 West Virginia?
The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in West Virginia is $35,380 per year, or about $17.01 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $20,230 at the entry level to $60,560 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Waiters and Waitresses about 0% more than the national median of $35,230. West Virginia ranks 24th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Waiters and Waitresses?
Yes on pay — West Virginia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $35,380 a year. About 8,600 Waiters and Waitresses are employed in West Virginia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.