Waiters and Waitresses pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC), the median pay for waiters and waitresses is $22.14 an hour ($46,040 a year). About 46,160 people work in this job there.
That is 31% higher than the U.S. median ($35,230). It is 4% lower than the District of Columbia median ($47,850).
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.33 | $31,880 |
| 25% of workers | $17.50 | $36,400 |
| Half of workers (median) | $22.14 | $46,040 |
| 75% of workers | $28.93 | $60,180 |
| 90% of workers | $38.97 | $81,060 |
Waiters and Waitresses pay in District of Columbia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (this page) | $46,040 | 46,160 |
District of Columbia unemployment rate: 5.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,600 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $47,580 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $37,630 |
| Bartenders | $48,030 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $37,260 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,360 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,540 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $39,650 |
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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.