Waiters and Waitresses pay in Virginia
In Virginia, the median pay for waiters and waitresses is $21.52 an hour ($44,760 a year). About 59,370 people work in this job there.
That is 27% higher than the U.S. median ($35,230). Virginia ranks 9th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Virginia
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $13.59 | $28,270 |
| 25% of workers | $15.75 | $32,760 |
| Half of workers (median) | $21.52 | $44,760 |
| 75% of workers | $27.13 | $56,430 |
| 90% of workers | $35.64 | $74,130 |
Waiters and Waitresses pay in Virginia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Harrisonburg | $44,760 | 1,150 |
| Charlottesville | $44,030 | 2,140 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $39,020 | 13,100 |
| Richmond | $38,470 | 9,120 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft | $37,910 | 690 |
| Winchester | $37,680 | 990 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | $37,670 | 1,080 |
| Roanoke | $37,380 | 2,220 |
| Lynchburg | $36,780 | 1,410 |
Virginia unemployment rate: 3.6% (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 Virginia
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,110 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,550 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $34,900 |
| Bartenders | $47,070 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $32,410 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $30,490 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $35,090 |
| Food Service Managers | $71,230 |
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.