Waiters and Waitresses pay in Rochester
In Rochester (NY), the median pay for waiters and waitresses is $21.78 an hour ($45,310 a year). About 6,070 people work in this job there.
That is 29% higher than the U.S. median ($35,230). It is 4% lower than the New York median ($47,020).
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Rochester (NY)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.50 | $32,240 |
| 25% of workers | $16.09 | $33,470 |
| Half of workers (median) | $21.78 | $45,310 |
| 75% of workers | $29.40 | $61,150 |
| 90% of workers | $38.65 | $80,400 |
Waiters and Waitresses pay in New York metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | $48,980 | 6,310 |
| Syracuse | $47,640 | 3,430 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | $47,610 | 138,720 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh | $46,950 | 3,930 |
| Binghamton | $46,600 | 1,390 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | $46,580 | 7,990 |
| Kingston | $46,440 | 1,280 |
| Elmira | $46,160 | 480 |
| Ithaca | $46,090 | 620 |
| Utica-Rome | $45,950 | 1,790 |
| Rochester (this page) | $45,310 | 6,070 |
| Glens Falls | $43,900 | 990 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum | $38,590 | 710 |
New York 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 Rochester (NY)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,430 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $43,040 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $35,020 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,310 |
| Bartenders | $45,920 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,780 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $36,580 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $33,750 |
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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.