Waiters and Waitresses pay in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, the median pay for waiters and waitresses is $18.49 an hour ($38,460 a year). About 54,670 people work in this job there.
That is 9% higher than the U.S. median ($35,230). Massachusetts ranks 12th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Massachusetts
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.29 | $31,790 |
| 25% of workers | $16.97 | $35,290 |
| Half of workers (median) | $18.49 | $38,460 |
| 75% of workers | $21.97 | $45,700 |
| 90% of workers | $29.90 | $62,200 |
Waiters and Waitresses pay in Massachusetts metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | $39,270 | 41,570 |
| Barnstable Town | $38,380 | 2,970 |
| Worcester | $36,840 | 4,610 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | $36,650 | 980 |
| Springfield | $36,170 | 2,670 |
| Pittsfield | $35,950 | 1,150 |
Massachusetts unemployment rate: 4.3% (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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $35,850 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,600 |
| Bartenders | $37,440 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $38,900 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,960 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,380 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,750 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,290 |
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.