Waiters and Waitresses pay in Columbus
In Columbus (OH), the median pay for waiters and waitresses is $18.03 an hour ($37,490 a year). About 15,900 people work in this job there.
That is 6% higher than the U.S. median ($35,230). It is 2% higher than the Ohio median ($36,700).
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Columbus (OH)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $11.72 | $24,370 |
| 25% of workers | $14.24 | $29,620 |
| Half of workers (median) | $18.03 | $37,490 |
| 75% of workers | $23.75 | $49,400 |
| 90% of workers | $30.41 | $63,250 |
Waiters and Waitresses pay in Ohio metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus (this page) | $37,490 | 15,900 |
| Lima | $36,720 | 680 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | $36,600 | 4,700 |
| Cincinnati | $36,530 | 17,790 |
| Cleveland | $36,260 | 14,120 |
| Canton-Massillon | $36,210 | 2,690 |
| Akron | $36,150 | 4,680 |
| Toledo | $36,140 | 4,600 |
| Springfield | $36,060 | 560 |
| Mansfield | $35,170 | 850 |
| Sandusky | $34,610 | 1,400 |
| Youngstown-Warren | $33,910 | 2,580 |
Ohio unemployment rate: 3.3% (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 Columbus (OH)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,670 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,790 |
| Bartenders | $37,000 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $36,930 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,650 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,000 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,250 |
| Food Service Managers | $63,420 |
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.