Waiters and Waitresses pay in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the median pay for waiters and waitresses is $16.68 an hour ($34,690 a year). About 82,300 people work in this job there.
That is 2% lower than the U.S. median ($35,230). Pennsylvania ranks 25th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Pennsylvania
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $8.85 | $18,400 |
| 25% of workers | $11.78 | $24,490 |
| Half of workers (median) | $16.68 | $34,690 |
| 75% of workers | $22.49 | $46,790 |
| 90% of workers | $29.70 | $61,780 |
Waiters and Waitresses pay in Pennsylvania metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $36,570 | 41,900 |
| Pittsburgh | $35,470 | 16,120 |
| State College | $35,280 | 1,350 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $34,630 | 5,310 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $34,260 | 3,920 |
| York-Hanover | $33,750 | 2,340 |
| Lancaster | $32,190 | 3,520 |
| Gettysburg | $31,390 | 660 |
| Reading | $30,760 | 2,060 |
| Lebanon | $30,300 | 690 |
| Chambersburg | $30,030 | 750 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $29,770 | 3,200 |
| Williamsport | $29,320 | 730 |
| Erie | $28,590 | 1,840 |
| Johnstown | $28,280 | 640 |
| Altoona | $27,630 | 880 |
Pennsylvania unemployment rate: 3.7% (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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,570 |
| Bartenders | $28,420 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $43,050 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,310 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,170 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $30,840 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,300 |
| Food Service Managers | $64,750 |
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.