Waiters and Waitresses Salary (2025)
Based on 2,270,910 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $18,100 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $27,750 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $35,230 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $47,110 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $64,720 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$18K
25th
$28K
Median
$35K
75th
$47K
90th
$65K
Highest Paying States for Waiters and Waitresses
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $68,260 |
| Washington | $60,590 |
| District of Columbia | $59,510 |
| Vermont | $58,850 |
| New York | $54,750 |
| Oregon | $52,400 |
| Maine | $51,260 |
| Colorado | $51,240 |
| Arizona | $51,170 |
| New Jersey | $50,260 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Waiters and Waitresses salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is Hawaii at an average of $68,260 per year, while New Jersey has an average of $50,260 — a difference of $18,000. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Waiters and Waitresses
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2,270,910 workers were employed as Waiters and Waitressess in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations. The annual mean wage of $40,060 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 35-3031