Waiters and Waitresses pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for waiters and waitresses is $16.94 an hour ($35,230 a year). About 2,270,910 people work in this job there.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $8.70 | $18,100 |
| 25% of workers | $13.34 | $27,750 |
| Half of workers (median) | $16.94 | $35,230 |
| 75% of workers | $22.65 | $47,110 |
| 90% of workers | $31.12 | $64,720 |
Best-paying states for waiters and waitresses
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $62,390 | 14,090 |
| Vermont | $59,140 | 4,040 |
| Washington | $56,130 | 45,400 |
| Oregon | $48,410 | 23,040 |
| District of Columbia | $47,850 | 11,530 |
| New York | $47,020 | 142,940 |
| New Jersey | $44,960 | 55,800 |
| Colorado | $44,860 | 40,680 |
| Virginia | $44,760 | 59,370 |
| Arizona | $43,950 | 55,950 |
Pay by state
- Alabama · $26,840
- Alaska · $26,310
- Arizona · $43,950
- Arkansas · $24,680
- California · $36,080
- Colorado · $44,860
- Connecticut · $37,770
- Delaware · $36,880
- District of Columbia · $47,850
- Florida · $36,150
- Georgia · $18,700
- Hawaii · $62,390
- Idaho · $30,050
- Illinois · $31,200
- Indiana · $28,480
- Iowa · $21,000
- Kansas · $36,120
- Kentucky · $29,660
- Louisiana · $15,080
- Maine · $43,370
- Maryland · $36,750
- Massachusetts · $38,460
- Michigan · $37,760
- Minnesota · $25,470
- Mississippi · $21,370
- Missouri · $29,400
- Montana · $23,370
- Nebraska · $33,770
- Nevada · $26,410
- New Hampshire · $38,430
- New Jersey · $44,960
- New Mexico · $36,920
- New York · $47,020
- North Carolina · $32,150
- North Dakota · $30,890
- Ohio · $36,700
- Oklahoma · $17,910
- Oregon · $48,410
- Pennsylvania · $34,690
- Rhode Island · $35,420
- South Carolina · $18,370
- South Dakota · $28,990
- Tennessee · $27,760
- Texas · $23,240
- Utah · $31,150
- Vermont · $59,140
- Virginia · $44,760
- Washington · $56,130
- West Virginia · $35,380
- Wisconsin · $29,670
- Wyoming · $23,920
Education, experience and outlook for waiters and waitresses
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +2% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 423,100 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,200 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,080 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $35,320 |
| Bartenders | $34,340 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $33,980 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $31,200 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,360 |
| Food Service Managers | $69,390 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.