Waiters and Waitresses pay in New Jersey
In New Jersey, the median pay for waiters and waitresses is $21.62 an hour ($44,960 a year). About 55,800 people work in this job there.
That is 28% higher than the U.S. median ($35,230). New Jersey ranks 7th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in New Jersey
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.49 | $32,220 |
| 25% of workers | $17.17 | $35,710 |
| Half of workers (median) | $21.62 | $44,960 |
| 75% of workers | $27.12 | $56,410 |
| 90% of workers | $37.75 | $78,510 |
Waiters and Waitresses pay in New Jersey metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City-Hammonton | $38,160 | 6,070 |
| Trenton-Princeton | $38,070 | 2,160 |
| Vineland | $36,800 | 540 |
New Jersey 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 New Jersey
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,150 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $48,420 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $35,540 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,170 |
| Bartenders | $44,020 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,390 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,050 |
| Food Service Managers | $78,020 |
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.