Median Salary
$35,230
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$16.94
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$64,720
entry level starts ~$18,100
Pay Grade
C
below-average pay · 2,271,000 employed
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make?
The median pay for Waiters and Waitresses in the United States is $35,230 per year — about $16.94 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $18,100, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $64,720.
That is $26,160 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Waiters and Waitresses salary range by percentile
Half of all Waiters and Waitresses earn between $27,750 and $47,110 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,100 | $8.70 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $27,750 | $13.34 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $35,230 | $16.94 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $47,110 | $22.65 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,720 | $31.12 |
|
Highest-paying states for Waiters and Waitresses
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Hawaii leads the country for Waiters and Waitresses pay at $62,390 a year, followed by Vermont ($59,140) and Washington ($56,130). At the other end, Louisiana posts the lowest median at $15,080 — a gap of $47,310 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Hawaii $62,390Vermont $59,140Washington $56,130Oregon $48,410District of Columbia $47,850New 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
Workforce and education
About 2,271,000 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $40,060 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: no college degree is required — most training happens on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make in the United States?
The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in the United States is $35,230 per year, or about $16.94 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $18,100, while the top 10% of earners make $64,720 or more.
How does Waiters and Waitresses pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C (below-average pay), the Waiters and Waitresses median of $35,230 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Waiters and Waitresses the most?
Hawaii is the highest-paying state for Waiters and Waitresses, with a median salary of $62,390 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Waiters and Waitresses need?
For most positions, no college degree is required — most training happens on the job, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in the United States?
About 2,271,000 people were employed as Waiters and Waitresses in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.